Physics of Radiology 2026
| Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers,
Rationales & Exam Review
| Complete Ethics Study
Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, high voltage (V--> kV), low amperes (A --> mA) The transformer converts to _______ and ________.
transformer Converts incoming electricity to a high voltage current that enters the X-ray tube
when the circuit is closed.
cathode Current that departs the transformer.
anode Current that enters X-ray tube from transformer.
X-ray tube -Converts high voltage current to X-rays
-Directs x-rays toward subject/patient
-Shields unwanted radiation
-Absorbs unwanted heat
negative terminal (filament) Part of the X-ray tube that functions as the cathode.
high Z (tungsten) target Part of the X-ray tube that functions as the anode.
heated tungsten filament Absorbs thermal energy from the heat generated by an electrical current passing
through the X-ray tube and subsequently gives off electrons that are accelerated
across the X-ray tube to hit the tungsten target.
thermionic emission Refers to the phenomenon of some electrons in the tungsten filament acquiring
enough thermal energy (from the current passing through the wire) to move a small
distance from the surface of the metal, subsequently escaping to hit the tungsten
target.
tungsten target -Part of the X-ray tube where X-rays are actually produced
-Has high atomic number (high Z) and high melting point, making it efficient at
producing X-rays and withstanding the heat produced
-Angled between 10 and 17 degrees off perpendicular
X-ray tube current -Measured in milliamperes (mA)
-Refers to the number of electrons flowing per second from the tungsten filament to
the tungsten target.
electrons The number of ________ determines the X-ray tube current.
| Study Guide, Practice
Questions, Answers,
Rationales & Exam Review
| Complete Ethics Study
Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, high voltage (V--> kV), low amperes (A --> mA) The transformer converts to _______ and ________.
transformer Converts incoming electricity to a high voltage current that enters the X-ray tube
when the circuit is closed.
cathode Current that departs the transformer.
anode Current that enters X-ray tube from transformer.
X-ray tube -Converts high voltage current to X-rays
-Directs x-rays toward subject/patient
-Shields unwanted radiation
-Absorbs unwanted heat
negative terminal (filament) Part of the X-ray tube that functions as the cathode.
high Z (tungsten) target Part of the X-ray tube that functions as the anode.
heated tungsten filament Absorbs thermal energy from the heat generated by an electrical current passing
through the X-ray tube and subsequently gives off electrons that are accelerated
across the X-ray tube to hit the tungsten target.
thermionic emission Refers to the phenomenon of some electrons in the tungsten filament acquiring
enough thermal energy (from the current passing through the wire) to move a small
distance from the surface of the metal, subsequently escaping to hit the tungsten
target.
tungsten target -Part of the X-ray tube where X-rays are actually produced
-Has high atomic number (high Z) and high melting point, making it efficient at
producing X-rays and withstanding the heat produced
-Angled between 10 and 17 degrees off perpendicular
X-ray tube current -Measured in milliamperes (mA)
-Refers to the number of electrons flowing per second from the tungsten filament to
the tungsten target.
electrons The number of ________ determines the X-ray tube current.
