Scattered radiation coming from the patient, compared to the primary incident radiation, is:

Scattered radiation resulting from interactions with the patient's tissues is considered to be less energetic than the primary incident radiation. When primary radiation—high-energy photons—interacts with matter, such as human tissue,Compton scattering occurs, which generally results in a decrease in the energy of the photons. This loss of energy happens because some of the photon’s energy is transferred to the electron it collides with, leading to a lower-energy photon being emitted in a different direction.

In general, the primary radiation is designed to penetrate the body and create an image by passing through. In contrast, the scattered radiation is redirected and has generally lost a significant amount of its initial energy due to these interactions. This principle helps in understanding why scatter radiation poses less risk for imaging quality, while also requiring appropriate shielding and safety measures in radiographic practices. Understanding the nature of scattered versus primary radiation is crucial for radiographers in ensuring patient safety and optimizing imaging results.