Production of X-rays Flashcards
What is the atomic number?
number of protons
what determines identity of atom
What is the atomic mass?
protons + neutrons
What is the binding energy?
minimal amount of energy required to remove an electron from its shell
Which shell is the most tightly bound?
K
How much energy does it take to remove a K shell electron in Tungsten?
70,000 eV // 70 keV
How is electron binding energy related to atomic number?
proportionally: higher atomic number = more protons –> higher atomic binding energy
What describes creating a positive & negative ion by removal of an electron from a neutral atom?
ionization
What is the transmission of energy through space in a vacuum & matter?
radiation
What are the two forms of radiation?
wave & quantum
Describe properties of the wave theory.
explains propagation of radiation
radiation in form of waves
no mass
speed of light
Describe properties of quantum theory.
explains the interaction of radiation with matter
considers radiation small bundles of energy called photons: mass & travel in straight/diverging lines at speed of light
What is high energy radiation?
high frequency & short wavelength
What is low energy radiation?
low frequency & long wavelength
How are frequency & wavelength related in wave theory?
inversely proportional
Where does the electromagnetic spectrum become ionizing?
blue light (ultraviolet spectrum)
List the electromagnetic spectrum from lowest energy to highest.
radio, micro, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, gamma
In the quantum theory of radiation are the particles charged?
they can be, but neutrons & x-rays are not
What is the heaviest & most charged particle of radiation?
alpha
What is the linear energy transfer (LET)?
ionizing rate: low LET for x-rays allows particles to move through tissue easily to reach receptor
How is contrast created when considering the particle theory?
some energy/x-rays remain in tissue…cannot penetrate & remain trapped
What particle has the highest LET and why?
alpha: electrical charge & weight
What are the factors that lead to higher LET?
low velocity, higher charge, bigger size –> less penetration because lose energy over short distances
US law states that x-ray machines must have what features?
dead-man type exposure button
indicator light
audible sound
What is located inside the tube head?
power supply & x-ray tube
Where is the step up transformer?
anode end
Where is the step down transformer?
cathode end
What charge are the cathode & anodes?
cathode = negative
anode = positive
Where are the electrons produced?
cathode
What is the purpose of the aluminum filter?
filters non-useful x-rays so only the ones that will create an image exit the tube head
What is in the cathode?
focusing cup (Mb) negatively charged
filament (tungsten)