What percent of electrons passing through an x-ray tube get converted to thermal energy?

The correct answer is that 99% of electrons passing through an x-ray tube get converted to thermal energy. This high percentage is due to the inherent inefficiency of the x-ray production process. When electrons are accelerated by a high voltage in the x-ray tube and collide with the anode material, only a small fraction of the energy from these electrons is converted into x-rays. The majority of the kinetic energy from the electrons is transformed into heat.

This heat can significantly impact the operation of the x-ray tube, requiring effective cooling mechanisms to prevent damage to the components. Understanding this high conversion percentage highlights the need for careful engineering and design considerations in x-ray equipment to ensure efficient operation while managing the heat generated during the x-ray production process.