The intensity of the x-ray beam is expressed in which units?

The intensity of the x-ray beam is most accurately expressed in Coulomb/kilogram (C/kg), which measures the amount of ionization produced in air when exposed to x-rays. Intensity refers to the quantity of radiation energy transmitted per unit area, and since x-ray beams primarily interact with matter to produce ionization, this unit directly links to the radiation exposure in air.

The other units mentioned serve different purposes in the field of radiology and radiation measurement. Gray (Gy) measures the absorbed dose of radiation, specifically the energy deposited per unit mass of tissue, whereas Röntgen (R) quantifies the exposure to x-rays or gamma rays in air, but not the intensity of the beam itself. Sievert (Sv) is used for measuring the biological effect of radiation and its impact on human tissue, which involves the quality factor of the radiation but not the intensity of the beam.

In this context, Coulomb/kilogram is the most relevant unit for describing the x-ray beam’s intensity as it focuses on the ionization produced when radiation interacts with air.