1
BU DENTAL RADIOLOGY FINAL PRACTICE EXAM WITH 2026
REAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SECTION 1: Radiation Physics & X-Ray Production (Q1–Q20)
Q1. X-rays are produced when:
A. Electrons strike the filament
B. Electrons strike the tungsten target
C. Photons strike atoms
D. Heat is removed
Answer: B
Rationale: X-rays form when high-speed electrons hit the
tungsten target.
Q2. Bremsstrahlung radiation results from:
,2
A. Electron shell transitions
B. Sudden deceleration of electrons
C. Heat production
D. Filtration
Answer: B
Rationale: “Braking radiation” occurs when electrons slow near
nuclei.
Q3. Characteristic radiation occurs when:
A. Electrons lose speed near nuclei
B. Inner shell electrons are ejected
C. Heat dissipates
D. Filtration increases
Answer: B
Rationale: Outer electrons drop to fill inner-shell vacancies.
Q4. Kilovoltage peak (kVp) primarily controls:
A. Quantity only
B. Density only
C. Beam energy and contrast
D. Exposure time
,3
Answer: C
Rationale: kVp affects penetration and image contrast.
Q5. Milliamperage (mA) controls:
A. Beam quality
B. Number of photons
C. Contrast
D. Wavelength
Answer: B
Rationale: mA controls x-ray quantity.
Q6. Exposure time affects:
A. Beam energy
B. Photon number
C. Filtration
D. Scatter only
Answer: B
Q7. The anode in a dental x-ray tube is made of:
A. Copper
B. Lead
, 4
C. Tungsten
D. Aluminum
Answer: C
Q8. The cathode contains the:
A. Target
B. Step-up transformer
C. Filament and focusing cup
D. Collimator
Answer: C
Q9. The purpose of filtration is to:
A. Increase patient dose
B. Remove low-energy photons
C. Increase image density
D. Reduce contrast
Answer: B
Q10. Collimation reduces:
A. Image sharpness
B. Scatter radiation
BU DENTAL RADIOLOGY FINAL PRACTICE EXAM WITH 2026
REAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SECTION 1: Radiation Physics & X-Ray Production (Q1–Q20)
Q1. X-rays are produced when:
A. Electrons strike the filament
B. Electrons strike the tungsten target
C. Photons strike atoms
D. Heat is removed
Answer: B
Rationale: X-rays form when high-speed electrons hit the
tungsten target.
Q2. Bremsstrahlung radiation results from:
,2
A. Electron shell transitions
B. Sudden deceleration of electrons
C. Heat production
D. Filtration
Answer: B
Rationale: “Braking radiation” occurs when electrons slow near
nuclei.
Q3. Characteristic radiation occurs when:
A. Electrons lose speed near nuclei
B. Inner shell electrons are ejected
C. Heat dissipates
D. Filtration increases
Answer: B
Rationale: Outer electrons drop to fill inner-shell vacancies.
Q4. Kilovoltage peak (kVp) primarily controls:
A. Quantity only
B. Density only
C. Beam energy and contrast
D. Exposure time
,3
Answer: C
Rationale: kVp affects penetration and image contrast.
Q5. Milliamperage (mA) controls:
A. Beam quality
B. Number of photons
C. Contrast
D. Wavelength
Answer: B
Rationale: mA controls x-ray quantity.
Q6. Exposure time affects:
A. Beam energy
B. Photon number
C. Filtration
D. Scatter only
Answer: B
Q7. The anode in a dental x-ray tube is made of:
A. Copper
B. Lead
, 4
C. Tungsten
D. Aluminum
Answer: C
Q8. The cathode contains the:
A. Target
B. Step-up transformer
C. Filament and focusing cup
D. Collimator
Answer: C
Q9. The purpose of filtration is to:
A. Increase patient dose
B. Remove low-energy photons
C. Increase image density
D. Reduce contrast
Answer: B
Q10. Collimation reduces:
A. Image sharpness
B. Scatter radiation
