Principles of Radiation Physics Questions
and Answers| Latest Update
Deceleration of Electrons Electrons decelerate when they strike the anode.
Anode is a tungsten disk with a high atomic number and high melting point
Target Interaction -X-rays are produced by one of these methods when electrons interact
with the anode
-Bremsstrahlung
-Characteristic
Bremsstrahlung Interactions -X-ray is produced when an electron is slowed down or
stopped by the tungsten atom
-As the electron decelerates, its lost energy is converted into heat or x-ray energy; the energy of
the x-ray will be equal to the energy lost by the electron; maximum energy of the x-ray is equal
to the kVp
Characteristic Interactions -X-ray is produced when an accelerated electron knocks out a
K-shell electron in the tungsten atom; must have at least 70 keV worth of energy
-if an L-shell electron drops into the K-shell hole, a 57.4 keV xray is produced; M-shell to K-shell
is 66.7 keV
X-ray Beam: Frequency and Wavelength -Electromagnetic Radiation
-Frequency=#of times per second the electric and magnetic fields regenerate themselves; the
higher the energy of the x-ray, the higher the frequency
-Wavelength=distance the x-ray travels during on regeneration of electric and magnetic fields;
the unit is the Angstrom
-All x-rays travel at the speed of light; frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional
and Answers| Latest Update
Deceleration of Electrons Electrons decelerate when they strike the anode.
Anode is a tungsten disk with a high atomic number and high melting point
Target Interaction -X-rays are produced by one of these methods when electrons interact
with the anode
-Bremsstrahlung
-Characteristic
Bremsstrahlung Interactions -X-ray is produced when an electron is slowed down or
stopped by the tungsten atom
-As the electron decelerates, its lost energy is converted into heat or x-ray energy; the energy of
the x-ray will be equal to the energy lost by the electron; maximum energy of the x-ray is equal
to the kVp
Characteristic Interactions -X-ray is produced when an accelerated electron knocks out a
K-shell electron in the tungsten atom; must have at least 70 keV worth of energy
-if an L-shell electron drops into the K-shell hole, a 57.4 keV xray is produced; M-shell to K-shell
is 66.7 keV
X-ray Beam: Frequency and Wavelength -Electromagnetic Radiation
-Frequency=#of times per second the electric and magnetic fields regenerate themselves; the
higher the energy of the x-ray, the higher the frequency
-Wavelength=distance the x-ray travels during on regeneration of electric and magnetic fields;
the unit is the Angstrom
-All x-rays travel at the speed of light; frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional
