04/09/2026, 17:27
C
Meaghan Piretti Study Guide Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027 Exams
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With ELABORATED
100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!! Current Update!!
What side of the x-ray tube positive Anode
What side of the x-ray tube is negative Cathode
What is the role of the glass envelope Containment and maintains the vacuum. Maintains a vacuum inside the X-ray tube,
allowing electrons to travel freely from the cathode to the anode without
interacting with air molecules.
What is the role of the tube housing Prevents leakage and insulates
What end of the tube has the filament and focusing cup Cathode
What are the types of anodes Rotating and Stationary
What is the anode made of Tungsten
Why is Tungsten the chosen material for the anode Has a high atomic number meaning it has a high melting point
1/75
,04/09/2026, 17:27
Describe the induction motor Stator on the outside and Rotor on the inside
What is a stator Electric motor that turns the rotor at high speed
Rotating magnetic field when energized
What does the rotor do Spins the anode allowing heat to be spread out across a larger area
What do the bearings of the induction motor do Support and enables rotation
Define Anode heel effect Variation in x-ray intensity between anode and cathode sides of the tube
What side of the x-ray tube has the more intense beam Cathode
Why is the beam more intense on the cathode end X-rays produced deeper within the anode must pass through more material which
absorbs some of the beam, the absorption reduces intensity on the anode side
If the degree of anode angle decreases what will happen It increases, a smaller angle means x-rays have to travel through more anode
to the anode heel effect material to exit
Define the line focus principle Large Actual focal spot that spreads heat while maintaining a small effective focal
spot for better image detail
What is larger, the actual focal spot or effective Actual focal spot is larger. effective is smaller
Where is the actual focal spot located On the surface of the anode target
Which focal spot goes towards the pt, actual or effective Effective
If you decrease anode angle (choose small focal spot) It also decreases
how will that affect the effective focal spot size
Define off focus radiation Radiation produced outside the actual focal spot which causes blurred edges or
ghost images
Define tube loading The amount of heat energy generated in the x-ray tube during an exposure, heat
units
What is the formula for heat units HU= kVp x mA x time (s) x wave form factor
What is the average wave form factor 1.4
What is the wave form factor for single phase 1
What is the wave form factor for 3 phase 6 pulse 1.35
What is the wave form factor for 3 phase 12 pulse 1.41
What is the wave form factor for high frequency 1.45
2/75
,04/09/2026, 17:27
wrap up of heat units in order Single-phase 1.00
Three-phase, 6-pulse. 1.35
Three-phase, 12-pulse 1.41
High-frequency 1.45
HU = kVp × mA × time × correction factor
Describe the difference between series and parallel Series: 1 path, if 1 breaks the entire circuit stops like x-mas lights
circuits Parallel: multiple paths, other branches still work even if one breaks
Define amperes Aka Amps
a measure of the flow of electric current in a circuit ( amps/A)
Define voltage The electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit
The pressure that pushes electrons through (V)
Define resistance Measured in Ohms
How much a material resists or slows down the movement of electrons
List the components in the primary circuit Main power switch, Circuit breaker, Autotransformer, kVp selector, Exposure
switch, Timer circuit, and the primary side of the step up transformer
What is purpose of the circuit breaker Protects against electrical overloads
What is the purpose of the autotransformer Adjusts the incoming voltage and supplies it to the step-up transformer
What is the purpose of the kVp selector Allows the user to choose the desired kilovoltage
What is the purpose of the step-up transformer It begins the process of increasing voltage to create the potential difference
needed for x-ray production
List the components of the secondary circuit Secondary side of the step-up transformer, mA meter, rectifiers, x-ray tube
What does the Secondary side of the step-up Converts low voltage into high voltage
transformer do
What is the purpose of the mA meter measures the current flowing between the cathode and anode during exposure
What is the purpose of the rectifiers To convert AC to DC so the current will flow in only 1 direction
List the components of the filament circuit Step-down transformer, Filament (Cathode), and mA selector aka Rheostat
What is the purpose of the step down transformer Reduces voltage while increasing current to heat the filament
What is the purpose of the filament (cathode) The heated wire that emits electrons when current passes through
What is the purpose of the mA selector or rheostat Controls the amount of current flowing to the filament, adjusting filament
temperature and thus the quantity of electrons
3/75
, 04/09/2026, 17:27
What is the incoming voltage coming into the circuit 220 volts AC
What transformer comes first in the circuit Autotransformer
The autotransformer works on what type of induction Self induction, 1 winding coil
The step-up and step-down transformers work on what Mutual induction, 2 separate coils one for the primary side and one for the
type on induction secondary side
What works on AC in the x-ray circuit Autotransformer, Step up & down transformer, and the incoming power supply
What works on DC in the x-ray circuit X-ray tube, and rectifiers
When a tech increases the mA on the control panel, what Filament current, Thermionic emission, Tube current, Quantity of x-rays produced,
factors will also increase and Pt dose
Define tube current The flow of electrons from the cathode to the anode within the x-ray tube,
measured in mA, more x-rays produced think Quantity
Tube current= electron flow = x-ray quantity
How does mA relate to the number of x-rays produced Directly proportional
How does mA relate to thermionic emission Directly proportional
How is mAs calculated mA x time (s)
What is the reciprocity law The same radiographic density will be produced if the mAs is the same regardless
of the combination of mA and time (s) used
Define tube potential The voltage difference between the cathode and anode in the x-ray tube and is
measured in kVp
How does kVp relate to the energy of the electron beam Directly proportional
How does kVp relate to the beam quality Directly proportional
Can kVp also change the intensity of the beam Yes, kVp increases not only energy (quality) but also the number (quantity) of
photons produced, this is because higher-energy electrons can interact more
effectively with the anode generating more x-rays overall
How does kVp relate to pt dose Directly and Indirectly, higher kVp= higher energy x-rays meaning less absorption
by the pt so doses can be lower and because higher kVp creates more
penetrating beam a tech can typically reduce the mAs to get the same image
quality, lower mAs= fewer photons = lower dose
increase of kVp & decrease of mAs = decreased dose, but increase in kVp and the
same mAs = increase dose
Describe the 15% rule Increasing the kVp by 15% will double the exposure to the image receptor and to
maintain the same exposure you must halve the mAs
4/75
C
Meaghan Piretti Study Guide Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027 Exams
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With ELABORATED
100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!! Current Update!!
What side of the x-ray tube positive Anode
What side of the x-ray tube is negative Cathode
What is the role of the glass envelope Containment and maintains the vacuum. Maintains a vacuum inside the X-ray tube,
allowing electrons to travel freely from the cathode to the anode without
interacting with air molecules.
What is the role of the tube housing Prevents leakage and insulates
What end of the tube has the filament and focusing cup Cathode
What are the types of anodes Rotating and Stationary
What is the anode made of Tungsten
Why is Tungsten the chosen material for the anode Has a high atomic number meaning it has a high melting point
1/75
,04/09/2026, 17:27
Describe the induction motor Stator on the outside and Rotor on the inside
What is a stator Electric motor that turns the rotor at high speed
Rotating magnetic field when energized
What does the rotor do Spins the anode allowing heat to be spread out across a larger area
What do the bearings of the induction motor do Support and enables rotation
Define Anode heel effect Variation in x-ray intensity between anode and cathode sides of the tube
What side of the x-ray tube has the more intense beam Cathode
Why is the beam more intense on the cathode end X-rays produced deeper within the anode must pass through more material which
absorbs some of the beam, the absorption reduces intensity on the anode side
If the degree of anode angle decreases what will happen It increases, a smaller angle means x-rays have to travel through more anode
to the anode heel effect material to exit
Define the line focus principle Large Actual focal spot that spreads heat while maintaining a small effective focal
spot for better image detail
What is larger, the actual focal spot or effective Actual focal spot is larger. effective is smaller
Where is the actual focal spot located On the surface of the anode target
Which focal spot goes towards the pt, actual or effective Effective
If you decrease anode angle (choose small focal spot) It also decreases
how will that affect the effective focal spot size
Define off focus radiation Radiation produced outside the actual focal spot which causes blurred edges or
ghost images
Define tube loading The amount of heat energy generated in the x-ray tube during an exposure, heat
units
What is the formula for heat units HU= kVp x mA x time (s) x wave form factor
What is the average wave form factor 1.4
What is the wave form factor for single phase 1
What is the wave form factor for 3 phase 6 pulse 1.35
What is the wave form factor for 3 phase 12 pulse 1.41
What is the wave form factor for high frequency 1.45
2/75
,04/09/2026, 17:27
wrap up of heat units in order Single-phase 1.00
Three-phase, 6-pulse. 1.35
Three-phase, 12-pulse 1.41
High-frequency 1.45
HU = kVp × mA × time × correction factor
Describe the difference between series and parallel Series: 1 path, if 1 breaks the entire circuit stops like x-mas lights
circuits Parallel: multiple paths, other branches still work even if one breaks
Define amperes Aka Amps
a measure of the flow of electric current in a circuit ( amps/A)
Define voltage The electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit
The pressure that pushes electrons through (V)
Define resistance Measured in Ohms
How much a material resists or slows down the movement of electrons
List the components in the primary circuit Main power switch, Circuit breaker, Autotransformer, kVp selector, Exposure
switch, Timer circuit, and the primary side of the step up transformer
What is purpose of the circuit breaker Protects against electrical overloads
What is the purpose of the autotransformer Adjusts the incoming voltage and supplies it to the step-up transformer
What is the purpose of the kVp selector Allows the user to choose the desired kilovoltage
What is the purpose of the step-up transformer It begins the process of increasing voltage to create the potential difference
needed for x-ray production
List the components of the secondary circuit Secondary side of the step-up transformer, mA meter, rectifiers, x-ray tube
What does the Secondary side of the step-up Converts low voltage into high voltage
transformer do
What is the purpose of the mA meter measures the current flowing between the cathode and anode during exposure
What is the purpose of the rectifiers To convert AC to DC so the current will flow in only 1 direction
List the components of the filament circuit Step-down transformer, Filament (Cathode), and mA selector aka Rheostat
What is the purpose of the step down transformer Reduces voltage while increasing current to heat the filament
What is the purpose of the filament (cathode) The heated wire that emits electrons when current passes through
What is the purpose of the mA selector or rheostat Controls the amount of current flowing to the filament, adjusting filament
temperature and thus the quantity of electrons
3/75
, 04/09/2026, 17:27
What is the incoming voltage coming into the circuit 220 volts AC
What transformer comes first in the circuit Autotransformer
The autotransformer works on what type of induction Self induction, 1 winding coil
The step-up and step-down transformers work on what Mutual induction, 2 separate coils one for the primary side and one for the
type on induction secondary side
What works on AC in the x-ray circuit Autotransformer, Step up & down transformer, and the incoming power supply
What works on DC in the x-ray circuit X-ray tube, and rectifiers
When a tech increases the mA on the control panel, what Filament current, Thermionic emission, Tube current, Quantity of x-rays produced,
factors will also increase and Pt dose
Define tube current The flow of electrons from the cathode to the anode within the x-ray tube,
measured in mA, more x-rays produced think Quantity
Tube current= electron flow = x-ray quantity
How does mA relate to the number of x-rays produced Directly proportional
How does mA relate to thermionic emission Directly proportional
How is mAs calculated mA x time (s)
What is the reciprocity law The same radiographic density will be produced if the mAs is the same regardless
of the combination of mA and time (s) used
Define tube potential The voltage difference between the cathode and anode in the x-ray tube and is
measured in kVp
How does kVp relate to the energy of the electron beam Directly proportional
How does kVp relate to the beam quality Directly proportional
Can kVp also change the intensity of the beam Yes, kVp increases not only energy (quality) but also the number (quantity) of
photons produced, this is because higher-energy electrons can interact more
effectively with the anode generating more x-rays overall
How does kVp relate to pt dose Directly and Indirectly, higher kVp= higher energy x-rays meaning less absorption
by the pt so doses can be lower and because higher kVp creates more
penetrating beam a tech can typically reduce the mAs to get the same image
quality, lower mAs= fewer photons = lower dose
increase of kVp & decrease of mAs = decreased dose, but increase in kVp and the
same mAs = increase dose
Describe the 15% rule Increasing the kVp by 15% will double the exposure to the image receptor and to
maintain the same exposure you must halve the mAs
4/75
