What are the effects of radioactive substances on x ray film?

Answer 1

X-rays will "expose" X-ray film. That's how imaging (medical or otherwise) is accomplished using X-rays.

We know that X-rays are high energy electromagnetic rays, and they are a form of penetrating radiation. X-ray film is photographic film, and this is film which will undergo chemical changes when exposed to light. X-rays and visible (optical) light are both electromagnetic radiation, and exposing film to X-rays will "leave an image" on the film, depending on the conditions of exposure.

When using X-rays, which have a great ability to penetrate different materials, we enclose the film in a "film pack" which is positioned in such a way that it is "behind" the subject or object to be X-rayed. The source emits the X-rays, they pass through the object under scrutiny, and through the film. (The film is shielded from optical light by the packaging, but the X-rays pass right through it.) The film, which has been exposed to the X-rays, is then developed to yield images.

We might note that modern imaging is moving to a "digital" X-ray with the elimination of the film and the substitution of an X-ray sensitive "grid" or "screen" behind the subject. This makes images quickly available (there is no delay as with developing film) and allows for immediate digital storage (with no "conversion" from film to digital format).

Answer 2

X-ray film has silver halide crystals which activate when exposed to energy. When they are processed, in the same way as Photography film, any crystals not exposed to energy make the film white. In this way, areas that have been exposed to x-rays are dark, producing a light image of denser materials that absorbed the x-rays.

Answer 3

A radioactive substance would create a fog of exposure on x-ray film. X-ray film is not the image receptor type used with injected radioactive substances, which I assume are the substances you're asking about.