Radiation Physics Chapter 2 Questions
and Answers Graded A+
What is the primary difference between X-rays and gamma rays?
✔✔X-rays are produced by electron interactions outside the nucleus, while gamma rays are
produced by nuclear reactions within the nucleus.
How is the energy of a photon determined?
✔✔The energy of a photon is determined by its frequency or wavelength, with higher
frequencies corresponding to higher energy photons.
What is the relationship between the frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic radiation?
✔✔Frequency and wavelength are inversely related; as the wavelength increases, the frequency
decreases.
What is the concept of attenuation in radiation physics?
✔✔Attenuation refers to the reduction of the intensity of a radiation beam as it passes through
matter, due to absorption or scattering.
1
, What happens when high-energy radiation interacts with matter?
✔✔When high-energy radiation interacts with matter, it can ionize atoms, causing damage to
molecules, including DNA.
What is the difference between the two types of radiation interactions with matter: photoelectric
effect and Compton scattering?
✔✔In the photoelectric effect, the photon is completely absorbed by an atom, causing the
ejection of an electron. In Compton scattering, the photon transfers part of its energy to an
electron and is deflected.
What is the principle of attenuation based on the thickness of the material?
✔✔The principle of attenuation states that the greater the thickness of the material, the more it
can attenuate radiation by absorbing or scattering it.
What is the purpose of the anode in an X-ray tube?
✔✔The anode serves as the target for the accelerated electrons, where X-rays are generated upon
impact.
How does increasing the atomic number of a material affect its ability to attenuate radiation?
2
and Answers Graded A+
What is the primary difference between X-rays and gamma rays?
✔✔X-rays are produced by electron interactions outside the nucleus, while gamma rays are
produced by nuclear reactions within the nucleus.
How is the energy of a photon determined?
✔✔The energy of a photon is determined by its frequency or wavelength, with higher
frequencies corresponding to higher energy photons.
What is the relationship between the frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic radiation?
✔✔Frequency and wavelength are inversely related; as the wavelength increases, the frequency
decreases.
What is the concept of attenuation in radiation physics?
✔✔Attenuation refers to the reduction of the intensity of a radiation beam as it passes through
matter, due to absorption or scattering.
1
, What happens when high-energy radiation interacts with matter?
✔✔When high-energy radiation interacts with matter, it can ionize atoms, causing damage to
molecules, including DNA.
What is the difference between the two types of radiation interactions with matter: photoelectric
effect and Compton scattering?
✔✔In the photoelectric effect, the photon is completely absorbed by an atom, causing the
ejection of an electron. In Compton scattering, the photon transfers part of its energy to an
electron and is deflected.
What is the principle of attenuation based on the thickness of the material?
✔✔The principle of attenuation states that the greater the thickness of the material, the more it
can attenuate radiation by absorbing or scattering it.
What is the purpose of the anode in an X-ray tube?
✔✔The anode serves as the target for the accelerated electrons, where X-rays are generated upon
impact.
How does increasing the atomic number of a material affect its ability to attenuate radiation?
2
