Essential Concepts of Radiologic Science

Question 1

Matter

Answer 1

Anything that occupies space and has mass

Question 2

Atoms

Answer 2

All matter is composed of fundamental blocks called atoms

Question 3

Mass

Answer 3

The quantity of matter contained in any physical object (mass of an object = weight)

Mass and weight are the same definition.

Question 4

Mass

Answer 4

The quantity of matter as described by its energy equivalence

Question 5

Weight

Answer 5

The force exerted on a body under the influence of gravity

Question 6

Potential Energy

Answer 6

Ability to do work by virtue of position

Question 7

Kinetic Energy

Answer 7

Energy of motion
(Moving automobile)

Question 8

Energy

Answer 8

Ability to do work

Question 9

Chemical Energy

Answer 9

Energy released by a chemical reaction
(Ex: foods we eat)

Question 10

Electrical Energy

Answer 10

The work that can be done when an electron moves through an electric potential difference (voltage)

Ex: normal household electricity, motors, heaters
-involves the movement of electrons through a copper wire by an electrical potential difference of 110 Volts (V)

Question 11

Thermal Energy

Answer 11

Heat

The energy of motion at the molecular level

The kinetic energy of molecules and is closely related to to temperature

The faster the molecules of a substance are vibrating, the more thermal energy the substance has and the higher it’s energy

Question 12

Nuclear Energy

Answer 12

Energy contained within the nucleus of an atom

Ex: Atomic bomb

We control the release and use of this type of energy in electric nuclear plants

Question 13

Electromagnetic Energy

Answer 13

Energy traveling through space is a combo of electric and magnetic fields

Includes: x-rays, gamma rays, electromagnetic energy, radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light

Does not include sound or diagnostic ultrasound

Question 14

Radiation

Answer 14

Energy emitted and transferred through space (transfer of energy)

Electromagnetic energy is usually referred to as electromagnetic radiation or simply radiation

Question 15

Ionizing Radiation

Answer 15

Any type of radiation that is capable of removing an orbital e- from the atom with which it interacts

Question 16

Ion Pair

Answer 16

The ejected e- and the resulting + charged atom together are called an ion pair

The orbital e- and the atom from which it was separated

The e- is a negative ion and the remaining atom is a positive ion

Question 17

Cosmic rays

Answer 17

Radiation emitted from the starts and the sun

On earth, the intensity of cosmic radiation increases with with altitude and latitude

Question 18

Terrestrial Radiation

Answer 18

results from deposits of uranium, thorium, and other radionuclides in the Earth

Potassium -40

Question 19

Radon

Answer 19

Radioactive gas produced by the natural radioactive decay of uranium

Ex: concrete, bricks, gypsum wall boards

Radon emits alpha particles which are not penetrating and therefore contributes a radiation dose only to the LUNGS

Question 20

What percentage of our annual average radiation dose is attributed to medical imaging?

Answer 20

3.0 mSv/6.2 mSv = 0.484 x 100 = 48%