Final answer:
Remnant radiation encompasses all forms of radiation resulting from the interaction of an x-ray beam with the atoms of a material, including bremsstrahlung and characteristic X-ray photons.
Step-by-step explanation:
All the radiation that arises from interactions of an x-ray beam with the atoms of an object in the path of the beam is called remnant radiation. This includes a range of phenomena such as bremsstrahlung, or braking radiation, where high-energy electrons are decelerated upon colliding with a target material, such as tungsten, emitting radiation with a continuous spectrum of frequencies. Alongside, when an electron within an atom is ejected following a collision, and a higher-level electron falls into the lower energy state, an X-ray photon can be emitted characteristic of the atomic element. Another important interaction is the Compton effect, which involves the scattering of x-rays from materials resulting in decreased energy of the scattered x-rays.
X-rays, a form of high-frequency electromagnetic (EM) radiation, can indicate the characteristics of the body they penetrate. As x-rays traverse through a given material, their interactions with the atomic structure of the material lead to various forms of emitted radiation, culminating in remnant radiation that exits the object and can be detected and used to produce an image or for diagnostic purposes.