X-Ray Production

Question 1

three requirements for x-ray production

Answer 1

1. source of electrons
2. means of rapidly accelerating/or energizing these electrons
3. decelerating/de-energizing electrons

In radiology, all three steps take place inside the X-ray tube

Question 2

How are electrons produced?

Answer 2

Electrons are produced through a process called thermionic emission. Thermionic emission is the release of electrons (ions) in response to heat.

Electrons are produced inside the cathode tube at the cathode filament when a current running through the filament causes it to get extremely hot. The filament gets so hot that the electrons are dissociated from the metal, forming an electron cloud around the filament.

Question 3

What does the term “Bremsstrahlung” mean?

Answer 3

It’s a German word meaning “Braking Radiation”

Question 4

The energy of the Bremsstrahlung photon depends on what factors?

Answer 4

1. The energy of the incoming electron
2. How close the electron gets to the nucleus
3. The change in direction

Question 5

What are the two types of radiation produced at the anode?

Answer 5

Bremmstrahlung Radiation
Characteristic Radiation

Question 6

What is the binding energy of the K shell for a tungsten atom?

Answer 6

69.5 keV