Most energy used in X-ray production converts primarily to:

In the process of X-ray production, the majority of the energy supplied to the X-ray tube is converted into heat rather than usable X-ray radiation. This is primarily due to the interactions of electrons with the anode target in the X-ray tube. When high-energy electrons strike the target material, several interactions occur. The kinetic energy of the electrons does result in the generation of X-ray photons, but this process is inefficient in converting electron energy directly into X-ray radiation.

The majority of the energy (about 99%) is transformed into thermal energy or heat due to the scattering and absorption of the electrons as they collide with the metal target. This generated heat must be managed through cooling systems in X-ray equipment to prevent damage to the components. Consequently, the proper understanding of this energy conversion is critical for those working in X-ray production, particularly regarding safety and operational efficiency.