CQR Radiology Practice Test 2026 - Complete Exam Prep Guide

In an x-ray tube, a high positive electrical potential creates an electric field that attracts negatively charged electrons. When the electrons are emitted from the cathode (the negative electrode), the strong positive potential at the anode (the positive electrode) pulls them towards it. This movement of electrons under the influence of the electric field is crucial for generating x-rays, as the electrons strike the anode with high kinetic energy, resulting in the production of x-ray photons upon interaction with the target material.

The attraction of electrons to the positive potential is a fundamental principle of how x-ray tubes operate, as it determines the flow of current and the intensity of the x-ray beam produced. The other options do not correctly describe the interactions occurring due to high positive potential in the context of an x-ray tube.