ARRT REGISTRY CERTIFICATION EVALUATION
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
● Focusing Cup Answer: Surrounds the filament and maintains a
concentrated stream of electrons from the filament to the target area on
the anode
*Typically made of molybdenum or nickel*
● Bremsstrahlung Radiation Answer: Projectile (high speed) electron
interacts with the electrostatic charge of the target nucleus (tungsten
cathode)
1)slows down
2)changes direction
3)loses some of its energy
-The greater the direction change, the greater energy loss and the photon
will possess more energy
● Characteristic Radiation Answer: *Think Cascade*
Projectile (high speed) electron ejects an inner (K) shell electron and
ionizes the atom. Other electrons move to fill the vacancy which results
in the emission of an x-ray photon.
,Only the initial energy of the K-shell ejection results in diagnostically
useful x-rays. The rest will be absorbed by filtration or contribute to skin
dose
● Electromagnetic Energy Answer: Travels in wave form (wavelength)
and has a certain frequency.
● Photon Answer: Smallest bit of electromagnetic energy
● Particulate Radiation Answer: Other forms of radiation, such as beta
and alpha, travel in particles
● Frequency Answer: The rate of rise and fall (oscillation) of the
electromagnetic photon and is measured in Hertz (Hz)
● Wavelength Answer: The distance between two successive peaks of
an electromagnetic photon
● Beam Characteristics: Quality Answer: -Expresses the penetrating
ability of the x-ray beam
Influenced by kVp and filtration
,● Beam Characteristics: Quantity Answer: Expresses the intensity or
amount of x-rays in the beam.
Measured in Roentgen (mR)
Influenced by mAs
I₁/I₂=mAs¹/mAs² (Intensity1 over intensity2=mAs1 over mAs2)
● Beam Characteristics: Filtration Answer: Absorbs low energy, non-
diagnostic x-rays Decreases quantity.
Measured in half-value layer which is the thickness of an absorbing
material required to reduce intensity by one-half its original value
● Inverse Square Law Answer: Used to calculate a change in beam
intensity with changes in SID
● Direct Square Law Answer: *Density/Exposure maintenance
Will determine the change in mAs required if the radiographic density is
to remain constant but the SID is changed
● Primary (useful) Radiation Answer: The beam prior to patient
interaction
Consists of the x-ray photons directed through the x-ray tube's window
port in a direction toward the patient
, ● Secondary Radiation Answer: Emitted after an x-ray photon from the
primary beam interacts with matter (characteristic radiation)
● Remnant Radiation Answer: aka exit radiation
The portion of the attenuated x-ray beam that emerges from the patient
and interacts with the image receptor
● Attenuation Answer: The progressive absorption of the x-ray beam as
it passes through matter
● X-ray Tube Answer:
● Glass Envelope Answer: -Leaded Pyrex glass with high melting point
-protects internal components
-Maintains a vacuum environment
-Thinner window section where x-rays are directed for the primary beam
● Electron Sources Answer: -Cathode:
--Negative electrode
--Molybdenum or nickel focusing cup positioned around tungsten
filament wires
-most modern tubes are dual focus containing two filaments
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
● Focusing Cup Answer: Surrounds the filament and maintains a
concentrated stream of electrons from the filament to the target area on
the anode
*Typically made of molybdenum or nickel*
● Bremsstrahlung Radiation Answer: Projectile (high speed) electron
interacts with the electrostatic charge of the target nucleus (tungsten
cathode)
1)slows down
2)changes direction
3)loses some of its energy
-The greater the direction change, the greater energy loss and the photon
will possess more energy
● Characteristic Radiation Answer: *Think Cascade*
Projectile (high speed) electron ejects an inner (K) shell electron and
ionizes the atom. Other electrons move to fill the vacancy which results
in the emission of an x-ray photon.
,Only the initial energy of the K-shell ejection results in diagnostically
useful x-rays. The rest will be absorbed by filtration or contribute to skin
dose
● Electromagnetic Energy Answer: Travels in wave form (wavelength)
and has a certain frequency.
● Photon Answer: Smallest bit of electromagnetic energy
● Particulate Radiation Answer: Other forms of radiation, such as beta
and alpha, travel in particles
● Frequency Answer: The rate of rise and fall (oscillation) of the
electromagnetic photon and is measured in Hertz (Hz)
● Wavelength Answer: The distance between two successive peaks of
an electromagnetic photon
● Beam Characteristics: Quality Answer: -Expresses the penetrating
ability of the x-ray beam
Influenced by kVp and filtration
,● Beam Characteristics: Quantity Answer: Expresses the intensity or
amount of x-rays in the beam.
Measured in Roentgen (mR)
Influenced by mAs
I₁/I₂=mAs¹/mAs² (Intensity1 over intensity2=mAs1 over mAs2)
● Beam Characteristics: Filtration Answer: Absorbs low energy, non-
diagnostic x-rays Decreases quantity.
Measured in half-value layer which is the thickness of an absorbing
material required to reduce intensity by one-half its original value
● Inverse Square Law Answer: Used to calculate a change in beam
intensity with changes in SID
● Direct Square Law Answer: *Density/Exposure maintenance
Will determine the change in mAs required if the radiographic density is
to remain constant but the SID is changed
● Primary (useful) Radiation Answer: The beam prior to patient
interaction
Consists of the x-ray photons directed through the x-ray tube's window
port in a direction toward the patient
, ● Secondary Radiation Answer: Emitted after an x-ray photon from the
primary beam interacts with matter (characteristic radiation)
● Remnant Radiation Answer: aka exit radiation
The portion of the attenuated x-ray beam that emerges from the patient
and interacts with the image receptor
● Attenuation Answer: The progressive absorption of the x-ray beam as
it passes through matter
● X-ray Tube Answer:
● Glass Envelope Answer: -Leaded Pyrex glass with high melting point
-protects internal components
-Maintains a vacuum environment
-Thinner window section where x-rays are directed for the primary beam
● Electron Sources Answer: -Cathode:
--Negative electrode
--Molybdenum or nickel focusing cup positioned around tungsten
filament wires
-most modern tubes are dual focus containing two filaments
