x ray beam

• what does the kVp relate to in terms of the x ray tube 


  kVp relates to the potential difference between the cathode and the anode of the x ray tube
• what does the mAs relate to in terms of the x ray tube 


  • mAs related to the number of electrons flowing from the cathode to the anode
  • therefore relating to the number of x ray photons produced
• what is the anode heel effect


  the angling of the target causes the intensity of the x ray beam to be less of the anode side because the ‘heel’ of the target is path of the beam
• what does the kVp control in relation to the x ray beam


  • the kVp controls the energy of the x ray photons
  • as you increase the kVp the speed of electrons across the tube will be greater therefore resulting in more energetic photons
  • the beam will also be more penetrating and is related to the quality
• what does the mAs control in relation to the x ray beam


  • mAs accounts for the number of photons in the x ray beam
  • related to the quantity of the x ray beam
• what term is used to describe the x ray beam as it leaves the x ray tube before it interacts with the patient 


  primary radiation