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Radiology Physics > Ch. 2 Radiation Concepts > Flashcards

Ch. 2 Radiation Concepts Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the definition of Natural Science?

A

The study of the universe and its contents

It includes both non-living matter (physical sciences) and living matter (biological sciences).

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2
Q

What does Physics deal with?

A

Matter and energy and their interrelationships

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3
Q

Define Matter.

A

Anything that occupies space and has mass

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4
Q

What is Mass?

A

The quantity of matter contained in an object (measured in kg)

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5
Q

What is Weight?

A

The force that the object exerts under the influence of gravity

Weight is dependent on mass and the gravitational pull.

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6
Q

What is a Substance?

A

A material that has a definite and constant composition

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7
Q

What are the two types of substances?

A
  • Simple: elements that cannot be broken down
  • Mixture: two or more substances mixed together
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8
Q

What are Molecules?

A

Formed when atoms are bonded

Different degrees of attraction among molecules affect their states (e.g., water, steam, ice).

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9
Q

Define Energy.

A

The ability to do work

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10
Q

How is Work defined?

A

Work = force x distance

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11
Q

What is the Law of Conservation of Energy?

A

The sum total of all matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed but can be converted from one form into another

E=mc^2

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12
Q

What is the equation formulated by Albert Einstein regarding energy?

A

E = mc^2

This equation expresses the equivalence of mass and energy.

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13
Q

What is Mechanical Energy?

A

The result of machines or physical movement

Mechanical energy includes both potential and kinetic energy.

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14
Q

Define Potential Energy.

A

The energy an object has due to its position. It is stored energy until converted to another form.

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15
Q

Define Kinetic Energy.

A

Energy in motion

An example is a boulder rolling down a hill.

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16
Q

What is Chemical Energy?

A

Energy created from a chemical reaction

Examples include reactions like Mentos in soda or batteries generating electricity.

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17
Q

What is Thermal Energy?

A

Heat resulting from the motion of atoms or molecules

The faster the atoms move, the more heat they release.

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18
Q

What is Temperature?

A

The measure of heat thermal energy

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19
Q

What is Electrical Energy?

A

The movement of electrons through a potential difference/wire

Electricity is the study of resting and moving electrons.

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20
Q

What is nuclear energy?

A

The energy contained in the nucleus of an atom

Includes both controlled (nuclear power plants) and uncontrolled (nuclear warfare) forms.

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21
Q

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

A form of energy that results from electric and magnetic disturbances in space or vacuum

Commonly abbreviated as EM Spectrum.

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22
Q

What is the speed of light?

A

3 x 10^8 meters per second

A fundamental constant in physics.

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23
Q

Define wavelength.

A

The distance between successive points on a wave, usually measured crest to crest or trough to trough

Measured in Lambda.

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24
Q

What is amplitude in wave theory?

A

The intensity of the wave, defined by its maximum height

25
Q

What is frequency?

A

The number of waves that pass a particular point in a given time frame, measured in Hertz (Hz)

Also known as cycles per second.

26
Q

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

A

Wavelength and frequency have an indirect relationship

As one increases, the other decreases.

27
Q

What is the relationship between frequency and energy?

A

Frequency and energy have a direct relationship

Higher frequency corresponds to higher energy.

28
Q

What is the particle theory of electromagnetic radiation?

A

High frequency electromagnetic radiation can act more like a particle than a wavelength when it interacts with matter

This particle is referred to as a photon or quantum.

29
Q

What is the period in wave theory?

A

The time frame for one complete wave cycle

30
Q

Fill in the blank: The unit of frequency is _______.

A

Hertz (Hz)

1 Hz equals one cycle per second.

31
Q

What is an atom?

A

The smallest unit of an element; what all matter is made of.

32
Q

What are protons?

A

Positively charged particles inside the nucleus with atomic weight.

33
Q

What are neutrons?

A

Neutral particles inside the nucleus with atomic weight.

34
Q

What are electrons?

A

Weightless particles that have a negative charge that constantly move around the nucleus on energy levels.

35
Q

What is the atomic number (Z#)?

A

The number of protons in an atom.

36
Q

What defines a stable atom?

A

When all atomic particles have the same amount (# of protons = # of electrons).

37
Q

What is the octet rule?

A

The atom is most stable when there are no more than 8 electrons in the valence shell.

38
Q

What is ionization?

A

The process of adding or removing an electron from its orbital shell.

39
Q

What is an ion?

A

A charged atom that has gained or lost an electron.

40
Q

What is a cation?

A

A positively charged atom that has lost an electron.

41
Q

What is an anion?

A

A negatively charged atom that has gained an electron.

42
Q

What is atomic weight?

A

It is equal to the number of protons and neutrons in an atom, measured in amu.

43
Q

What is an isotope?

A

Atoms within an element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

The atomic weight for an isotope is different

44
Q

What is a radioisotope?

A

An isotope that gives off radioactive decay.

45
Q

What is radioactive half-life?

A

The time required for the quantity of a radioactive substance to be reduced by half of its original value.

46
Q

True or False: After 10 half-lives, a radioisotope is considered inactive.

A

True.

47
Q

Fill in the blank: The maximum number of electrons in the K shell is ______.

A

2

48
Q

Fill in the blank: The maximum number of electrons in the L shell is ______.

A

8

49
Q

Fill in the blank: The maximum number of electrons in the M shell is ______.

A

18

50
Q

Fill in the blank: The half-life for I-131 is ______.

A

3 hours

51
Q

What is the definition of Electron Binding Energy?

A

The amount of energy needed to remove an electron from its energy level

Electron Binding Energy is measured in electron volts (eV)

52
Q

How is Electron Binding Energy (Eb) measured?

A

In electron volts (eV)

53
Q

What happens when an electron is removed from an atom?

A

Ionization has occurred

54
Q

True or False: The closer the electron is to the nucleus, the lower the Electron Binding Energy.

A

False

The closer the electron is to the nucleus, the higher the Electron Binding Energy.

55
Q

Which energy level has a higher Electron Binding Energy, K shell or M shell?

A

K shell

K shell electrons are closer to the nucleus compared to M shell electrons.

56
Q

What must an X-ray photon have in order to ionize an atom?

A

A higher energy (eV) than the Electron Binding Energy of the electron

This means the X-ray photon must possess sufficient energy to overcome the binding energy of the electron.

57
Q

What does an increase in atomic number generally indicate about Electron Binding Energy?

A

The higher the atomic number, the higher the Electron Binding Energy

More complex atoms with higher atomic numbers have electrons that are more tightly bound.

58
Q

What is a radioactive half-life?

A

The time required for the quantity of radioactivity to be reduced by 1/2 of its original value

Radiology Physics (6 decks)

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