Production of X-Rays

Question 1

What material is the cathode made from? And why?

Answer 1

Tungsten, because it has a very high melting point so can withstand the production of heat from x-rays

Question 2

What materials make up the anode?

Answer 2

Tungsten and Copper

Question 3

What are the two types of x-ray spectra?

Answer 3

Continuous spectrum
Characteristic spectrum

Question 4

What x-ray spectra is bremsstrahlung radiation associated with?

Answer 4

Continuous spectrum

Question 5

What is the negatively charged electron from the cathode attracted to?

Answer 5

The positively charged atom of tungsten within the anode

Question 6

What type of deflections are most common and associated with low energy photons?

Answer 6

Small deflections

Question 7

What type of deflections are less Likely and associated with high energy photons?

Answer 7

Large deflections

Question 8

What is maximum photon energy directly related to?

Answer 8

KV across the x-ray tube

Question 9

What is termed the “ejected orbital electron”?

Answer 9

An incident electron that knocks a k shell electron out

Question 10

What is line spectra relating to K and L shells associated with?

Answer 10

Characteristic spectrum

Question 11

Spectra relating to which atomic shell is of diagnostic importance?

Answer 11

K shell

Question 12

What kV value must x-rays be operating above in order for the characteristic spectrum to be produced?

Answer 12

Above 69.5kV

Question 13

If x-ray tube operates below 69.5kV, what radiation will be produced?

Answer 13

Bremsstrahlung radiation

Question 14

What two divisions make up the electromagnetic spectrum?

Answer 14

Non-ionising and ionising radiation

Question 15

If the wavelength is large, what division of EM spectrum radiation is most likely associated?

Answer 15

Non-ionising radiation

Question 16

If the wavelength is small, what division of EM spectrum radiation is most likely associated?

Answer 16

Ionising radiation

Question 17

Random change in direction after hitting something

Answer 17

Scattering

Question 18

Deposition of energy in tissues

Answer 18

Absorption

Question 19

The number of x-ray photons in a defined area of the beam

Answer 19

Intensity

Question 20

What happens to the energy of x-ray photons the further from the source of radiation you go?

Answer 20

Energy decreases

Question 21

Reduction in intensity of beam, due to scattering and absorption

Answer 21

Attenuation

Question 22

Removal of electron from neutral atom to give -ve (electron) & +ve (atom) ions

Answer 22

Ionisation

Question 23

The ability of photons to pass through or into tissues/materials

Answer 23

Penetration

Question 24

What are the four types of x-ray interactions that can occur when x-ray photons hit an object?

Answer 24

Completely scattered with no loss of energy
Absorbed with total loss of energy
Scattered with some absorption & loss of energy
Transmitted unchanged

Question 25

What is internal scatter?

Answer 25

When some of the radiation passes down into patients body

Question 26

How would you describe scatter of x-ray photons?

Answer 26

Unpredictable

Question 27

Define radiation dose

Answer 27

The amount of radiation absorbed by the patient

Question 28

Where are low energy photons often absorbed?

Answer 28

Soft tissues

Question 29

What type of photon energy is most likely to cause biological damage?

Answer 29

Low energy photons absorbed by soft tissues