Physics of Radiation

Question 1

What are the two types of ionizing radiation?

Answer 1

Particulate Radiation

Electromagnetic

Question 2

True or False? Dental X-rays use a fixed anode made of Tungsten.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

High energy electrons pass through the filament to the Tungsten at high energy and high speed, most of the energy dissipates as heat. What percent of energy does the X-ray come from?

Answer 3

Less than 1%

Question 4

______ originate from intranuclear interactions.

Answer 4

Gamma rays

Question 5

______ originate from interactions between energetic electrons and the electron cloud or the nucleus of an atom.

Answer 5

X-rays

Question 6

Which is more powerful, X-rays or gamma rays?

Answer 6

Gamma rays

Question 7

List the 4 non-ionizing radiation on the EM spectrum in order from least powerful to most powerful.

Answer 7

Radio
Microwave
Infrared
Visible

Question 8

List the 3 ionizing radiation on the EM spectrum in order from least powerful to most powerful.

Answer 8

Ultraviolet
X-ray
Gamma ray

Question 9

Radiation that will knock an electron off of an atom is called _______.

Answer 9

Ionizing radiation

Question 10

When electrons strike an object, they come close to the nucleus and change direction causing energy exchange (release) called _________.

Answer 10

Bremsstrahlung

Question 11

When high energy electrons knock out an orbital electron, the orbital electron is then called a recoil electron. Another electron moves down to take its place, then the difference in energy is released and that energy is called _______.

Answer 11

Characteristic radiation

Question 12

Which of the two types of X-ray production create a continuous range of energy?

Answer 12

Bremsstrahlung

Question 13

What are the 8 properties of X-rays?

Answer 13

• travel at the speed of light
• no mass
• no charge
• penetrates matter
• effects photographic film
• cause fluorescence
• cause ionization
• adversely affect biologic tissues