What happens when you bombard aluminum with x-rays?

Question

specifically what type and how much radiation is given off? also what affect does repeated bombardment have on the aluminum?

Answer 1

You would merely dislodge some electrons and create aluminum ions which would bind with oxygen creating aluminum oxide.

X rays are electromagnetic radiation.

Answer 2

As with any element, aluminum will absorb x-rays of specific energies, and re-radiate x-rays of lower energy. The disturbing of the electrons can cause disruptions in the crystal structure of the aluminum, weakening it, but it would take a truly intense blast of radiation for this effect to become noticeable.

Answer 3

Well, the higher the energy the more penetration they Xrays themself will have. A low energy Xray can be stopped by the aluminum, and a high energy Xray can zip right thru it- in fact, Gamma radiation will fly right thru an airplane while in flight- it won't even take time to use the bathroom, read a magazine or even pinch a nice stewardess on the butt before it leaves.

Repeated bombardment of SOFT Xrays will result in weakening the metal, given time- they impact the atoms center and break it apart. Hard Xrays just zip right on thru- to much energy and they pass right around them.

With aluminum you're more concerned with oxidation and vibration cracks than you are instead of radiation damage.

In fact, you can take a brand new float airplane, land it in salt water and the price of the aircraft just dropped by 50% due to corrosion