NMTCB BOARD EXAM STUDY GUIDE
TESTED QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS
●● isobars
Answer: Two nuclides with the same atomic mass but different atomic
numbers.
●● radionuclide
Answer: A nuclide that emits particulate or photon energy to achieve a
more stable state.
●● alpha particle
Answer: Another name for a helium ion containing two protons and two
neutrons.
●● beta particle
Answer: An electron.
●● alpha and beta particles imaging
Answer: They do not efficiently exit the body, so they can not/are hard
to detect.
,●● beta decay favoring ratio
Answer: A low proton-to-neutron ratio, as compared with stable nuclei.
●● beta spectrum energy relationship
Answer: The mean energy is about one-third of the max energy.
●● positron decay favoring ratio
Answer: A high proton-to-neutron ratio.
●● beta decay emitted particles
Answer: A beta particle and an antineutrino.
●● isotones
Answer: Two nuclides with the same number of neutrons but different
atomic numbers.
●● positron decay emitted particles
Answer: A positron and a neutrino.
●● minimum nuclear energy for positron decay
Answer: 1.02 MeV.
,●● fate of a positron
Answer: To travel a short distance, combine with an electron, and be
annihilated.
●● result of positron annihilation
Answer: Two nearly opposed 511-keV photons.
●● electron capture decay favoring ratio
Answer: A high proton-to-neutron ratio.
●● electron capture decay emitted particle
Answer: A neutrino.
●● isometric transition emission
Answer: Gamma rays.
●● difference between x-rays and gamma rays
Answer: X-rays are produced from energy released due to changes in the
quantum levels/values of orbital electrons of an atom, while gamma rays
are produced from energy shifts within the nucleus.
●● internal conversion
, Answer: When energy from a nuclear transition results in the emission
of an orbital electron rather than a gamma ray.
●● internal conversion electron effect
Answer: Increases the radiation dose to the patient because energy from
the electron is absorbed into the patient's body.
●● Auger electron
Answer: An orbital electron emitted when energy from an orbital
transition results in the emission of an orbital electron rather than an x-
ray.
●● metastable
Answer: When an isomeric state is long lived.
●● Characteristic of x-ray radiation
Answer: The energy released by outer shell electrons moving to now
unoccupied, less energetic inner orbitals after an electron is ejected from
an inner shell orbital.
●● Methods to create radioactive materials
Answer: Radioactive materials are produced by bombarding a target
material with either ions or with neutrons.
TESTED QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS
●● isobars
Answer: Two nuclides with the same atomic mass but different atomic
numbers.
●● radionuclide
Answer: A nuclide that emits particulate or photon energy to achieve a
more stable state.
●● alpha particle
Answer: Another name for a helium ion containing two protons and two
neutrons.
●● beta particle
Answer: An electron.
●● alpha and beta particles imaging
Answer: They do not efficiently exit the body, so they can not/are hard
to detect.
,●● beta decay favoring ratio
Answer: A low proton-to-neutron ratio, as compared with stable nuclei.
●● beta spectrum energy relationship
Answer: The mean energy is about one-third of the max energy.
●● positron decay favoring ratio
Answer: A high proton-to-neutron ratio.
●● beta decay emitted particles
Answer: A beta particle and an antineutrino.
●● isotones
Answer: Two nuclides with the same number of neutrons but different
atomic numbers.
●● positron decay emitted particles
Answer: A positron and a neutrino.
●● minimum nuclear energy for positron decay
Answer: 1.02 MeV.
,●● fate of a positron
Answer: To travel a short distance, combine with an electron, and be
annihilated.
●● result of positron annihilation
Answer: Two nearly opposed 511-keV photons.
●● electron capture decay favoring ratio
Answer: A high proton-to-neutron ratio.
●● electron capture decay emitted particle
Answer: A neutrino.
●● isometric transition emission
Answer: Gamma rays.
●● difference between x-rays and gamma rays
Answer: X-rays are produced from energy released due to changes in the
quantum levels/values of orbital electrons of an atom, while gamma rays
are produced from energy shifts within the nucleus.
●● internal conversion
, Answer: When energy from a nuclear transition results in the emission
of an orbital electron rather than a gamma ray.
●● internal conversion electron effect
Answer: Increases the radiation dose to the patient because energy from
the electron is absorbed into the patient's body.
●● Auger electron
Answer: An orbital electron emitted when energy from an orbital
transition results in the emission of an orbital electron rather than an x-
ray.
●● metastable
Answer: When an isomeric state is long lived.
●● Characteristic of x-ray radiation
Answer: The energy released by outer shell electrons moving to now
unoccupied, less energetic inner orbitals after an electron is ejected from
an inner shell orbital.
●● Methods to create radioactive materials
Answer: Radioactive materials are produced by bombarding a target
material with either ions or with neutrons.
