X-rays are what type of ionizing radiation?

X-rays are classified as a form of ionizing radiation due to their ability to penetrate matter and ionize atoms. Specifically, they belong to the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes other forms of radiation such as gamma rays and ultraviolet rays. The key characteristic of X-rays lies in their high energy and short wavelength, allowing them to disrupt atomic structures and generate ions when they interact with matter.

Unlike alpha and beta radiation, which are particles (alpha particles being helium nuclei and beta particles being high-energy electrons or positrons), X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to gamma rays. However, X-rays are distinct from gamma rays, as they are produced by electronic transitions in atoms or by deceleration of charged particles, whereas gamma rays are emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. Therefore, identifying X-rays as a type of gamma radiation aligns with their classification in the context of ionizing radiation.