  How large is the Bessel potential, $G_{\alpha,\mu}f$, compared to the Riesz
potential, $I_\alpha f$, of a given function? We prove that, for certain $f$
and $p$,
  \[\Vert G_{1,\mu} f\Vert_p\approx \omega(I_1f,1/\mu)_p,\] where
$\omega(f,t)_p$ is the $L^p$ modulus of continuity. However, for $0<\alpha<1$,
\[\Vert G_{\alpha,\mu}f\Vert_p\leq C(\omega(I_\alpha
f,1/\mu)_p)^\alpha\cdot\Vert I_\alpha f\Vert^{1-\alpha}_p.\] These estimates
are obtained by studying the quotient of the two operators,
$E_{\alpha,\mu}:=\frac{(-\Delta)^{\alpha/2}}{(\mu^2-\Delta)^{\alpha/2}}$, and
exploiting its approximation theoretic properties. Additionally,
$G_{\alpha,\mu}f=\mathcal{O}(\mu^{-\frac\alpha2})$ if $I_\alpha f$ vanishes
near a given point. This ``localization" result is derived from kernel
estimates of $E_{\alpha,\mu}$.
