Oklahoma Radiation Safety & Protection
Questions & Verified Answers
What happens when x-rays pass through any substance? - ANSWER-Ionization
Dental radiation is: - ANSWER-Ionizing
Natural radiation - ANSWER-Given off when unstable atoms undergo decay.
Radon gas - ANSWER-Given off from the Earth when radium undergoes decay and is a
MAJOR source of radiation to humans
Man-made radiation - ANSWER-Generated by machines such as lasers, x-rays, and
tanning beds
Dental radiation makes up what % of background radiation - ANSWER-0.10%
Radon radiation makes up what % of background radiation - ANSWER-55%
Forms of radiation - ANSWER-Particulate and electromagnetic
Particulate radiation - ANSWER-Tiny particles that move through space very quickly
Electromagnetic radiation - ANSWER-Bundles of energy that travel through space in a
wave.
Electromagnetic radiation waves include: - ANSWER-radio, microwaves, TV waves,
light, sunlight, x-rays, and gamma rays
Gamma rays originate from: - ANSWER-A different part of the atom
X-rays and gamma rays can be stopped by - ANSWER-lead
Electromagnetic spectrum - ANSWER-All electromagnetic energy arranged in order
according to wavelength and strength
Stronger electromagnetic waves are - ANSWER-Ionizing which means they interact and
change things
Are dental x-rays ionizing? - ANSWER-Yes
, x-ray machine parts - ANSWER-Tubehead, x-ray tube, beam indicating device (BID),
extension arm, control panel, exposure button, power supply
X-ray tube has two parts - ANSWER-Cathode (-) and Anode (+)
X-rays are created by: - ANSWER-Movement of electrons and they are given off in
impulses rather than one steady stream
X-ray tubes are self-rectifying which means - ANSWER-they change alternating current
(AC) electricity to direct current (DC) electricity
The two electrical circuits in x-ray production - ANSWER-low-voltage (mA setting) and
high-voltage (kVp setting)
X-ray machines have three transformers - ANSWER-The step-down transformer, step-
up transformer, and autotransformer
Step-down transformer does what - ANSWER-drops 110V electricity to 3-5 volts
Step-up transformer does what - ANSWER-raises 110V up to 60,000+ volts
Autotransformer does what - ANSWER-adjusts for small fluctuations in the current
Primary radiation comes directly from what - ANSWER-the tube. It is not uniform in
strength.
Secondary radiation - ANSWER-radiation after it interacts with matter (scatter radiation)
changing it's direction
Image receptors have - ANSWER-radiosensitive components that store energy from
radiation interaction.
Image receptor types - ANSWER-film, sensors, and phosphor plates
Receptor sizes - ANSWER-0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 (hardly ever used)
The radiosensitive component on film is - ANSWER-silver halide salts suspended in
emulsion
The size of the silver halide salts determins - ANSWER-how fast the film is.
Fast film has greater: - ANSWER-radiosensitivity and is very effective way to reduce
patient exposure
Fastest films are - ANSWER-F-speed and Kodak
Questions & Verified Answers
What happens when x-rays pass through any substance? - ANSWER-Ionization
Dental radiation is: - ANSWER-Ionizing
Natural radiation - ANSWER-Given off when unstable atoms undergo decay.
Radon gas - ANSWER-Given off from the Earth when radium undergoes decay and is a
MAJOR source of radiation to humans
Man-made radiation - ANSWER-Generated by machines such as lasers, x-rays, and
tanning beds
Dental radiation makes up what % of background radiation - ANSWER-0.10%
Radon radiation makes up what % of background radiation - ANSWER-55%
Forms of radiation - ANSWER-Particulate and electromagnetic
Particulate radiation - ANSWER-Tiny particles that move through space very quickly
Electromagnetic radiation - ANSWER-Bundles of energy that travel through space in a
wave.
Electromagnetic radiation waves include: - ANSWER-radio, microwaves, TV waves,
light, sunlight, x-rays, and gamma rays
Gamma rays originate from: - ANSWER-A different part of the atom
X-rays and gamma rays can be stopped by - ANSWER-lead
Electromagnetic spectrum - ANSWER-All electromagnetic energy arranged in order
according to wavelength and strength
Stronger electromagnetic waves are - ANSWER-Ionizing which means they interact and
change things
Are dental x-rays ionizing? - ANSWER-Yes
, x-ray machine parts - ANSWER-Tubehead, x-ray tube, beam indicating device (BID),
extension arm, control panel, exposure button, power supply
X-ray tube has two parts - ANSWER-Cathode (-) and Anode (+)
X-rays are created by: - ANSWER-Movement of electrons and they are given off in
impulses rather than one steady stream
X-ray tubes are self-rectifying which means - ANSWER-they change alternating current
(AC) electricity to direct current (DC) electricity
The two electrical circuits in x-ray production - ANSWER-low-voltage (mA setting) and
high-voltage (kVp setting)
X-ray machines have three transformers - ANSWER-The step-down transformer, step-
up transformer, and autotransformer
Step-down transformer does what - ANSWER-drops 110V electricity to 3-5 volts
Step-up transformer does what - ANSWER-raises 110V up to 60,000+ volts
Autotransformer does what - ANSWER-adjusts for small fluctuations in the current
Primary radiation comes directly from what - ANSWER-the tube. It is not uniform in
strength.
Secondary radiation - ANSWER-radiation after it interacts with matter (scatter radiation)
changing it's direction
Image receptors have - ANSWER-radiosensitive components that store energy from
radiation interaction.
Image receptor types - ANSWER-film, sensors, and phosphor plates
Receptor sizes - ANSWER-0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 (hardly ever used)
The radiosensitive component on film is - ANSWER-silver halide salts suspended in
emulsion
The size of the silver halide salts determins - ANSWER-how fast the film is.
Fast film has greater: - ANSWER-radiosensitivity and is very effective way to reduce
patient exposure
Fastest films are - ANSWER-F-speed and Kodak
