What is the term for the unit that denotes the maximum electrical potential difference in an X-ray tube?

The unit that denotes the maximum electrical potential difference in an X-ray tube is Kilovolt Peak (kVp). In the context of X-ray production, kVp represents the highest voltage applied across the X-ray tube during operation, which directly influences the energy of the X-rays produced.

This maximum potential enables the acceleration of electrons from the cathode to the anode in the tube, resulting in X-ray generation. The higher the kVp, the greater the energy of the X-rays produced, leading to better penetration through materials. Therefore, understanding kVp is crucial for radiation safety and imaging quality, as it impacts both the radiation dose and the contrast of the X-ray images.

Other terms like kilowatt, watts, and voltage are related to electrical measurements but do not specifically represent the peak potential used in X-ray tubes. Kilowatts is a measure of power, while volts measure electrical potential but do not convey the important peak aspect that is critical in radiographic imaging.