ASNT Radiographic Testing Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

In radiographic testing, scattered radiation specifically refers to radiation that has been deflected from its original path after interacting with matter. When radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, passes through a material, some of it may collide with the atoms in that material. This interaction causes the radiation to change direction, which effectively results in the radiation being "scattered."

Scattered radiation plays an important role in radiographic imaging because it can degrade the quality of the image by contributing to background noise and reducing contrast. Understanding and managing scattered radiation is crucial for achieving clearer and more accurate radiographic images.

The other options do not accurately define scattered radiation. Scattering does not involve absorption, which is a separate phenomenon where radiation is taken in by the material rather than deflected. Additionally, scattered radiation does not enhance image clarity; rather, it can detract from it. Lastly, while external radiation sources can contribute to images, they are not described as scattered radiation since that term specifically pertains to the radiation altered in direction after striking a specimen.