Radiography Theory

Created by

Nicole T

Cards (81)

Absorption 
The process by which radiation is taken in by matter
Amperage 
The amount of electric current flowing through a circuit
Anode 
The positive terminal in an x-ray tube
Atom 
The smallest unit of an element that has the properties of that element
Atomic number 
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
Atomic weight 
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
Primary beam 
The main beam of x-rays emitted from the x-ray tube
Useful beam 
The part of the primary beam that is used for imaging
Cathode 
The negative terminal in an x-ray tube
Control panel 
The part of the x-ray machine where the operator controls the exposure factors
Alternating current 
Electric current that reverses direction periodically
Direct current 
Electric current that flows in a single direction
Electromagnetic spectrum 
The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation
Electron 
A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom
Proton 
A positively charged particle in the nucleus of an atom
Wavelength 
The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs in a wave
Frequency 
The number of waves that pass a given point in a certain amount of time
Ionization 
The process of converting an atom into an ion by adding or removing electrons
Kinetic energy 
The energy an object possesses due to its motion
mA 
Milliamperage, the amount of electric current flowing through the x-ray tube
kVp 
Kilovoltage peak, the maximum voltage applied across the x-ray tube
ray tube 
Contains a cathode and an anode
Produces x-rays when electrons strike the anode target
Types of radiation 
Particulate radiation
Electromagnetic radiation
Atom 
Consists of a central nucleus and orbital electrons
118 different atoms have been identified
Nucleus 
The core of the atom, composed of protons and neutrons
Atomic weight/mass number 
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
Atomic number 
The number of protons inside the nucleus, equal to the number of electrons outside the nucleus
Electrons 
Tiny negatively charged particles that travel in orbits or shells around the nucleus
Orbits/shells 
The regions where electrons travel around the nucleus, designated by letters K-Q
Binding energy/binding force 
The electrostatic force of attraction between the positive nucleus and negative electrons
Molecule 
Atoms that bond together in different ways, forming tiny invisible particles
Ion 
An atom or molecule that has lost or gained one or more electrons, making it positively or negatively charged
Ionizing radiation 
Radiation capable of producing ions by removing or adding electrons to atoms
Includes particulate and electromagnetic radiation
Particulate radiation 
Tiny particles of matter that possess mass and travel in straight lines at high speeds
Electromagnetic radiation 
Radiation that has no mass, no weight, and no electrical charge, and travels at the speed of light
Wavelength 
The distance between the crest of one wave and the crest of the next, which determines the energy and penetrating power of the radiation
Frequency 
The number of wavelengths that pass a given point in a certain amount of time, which is inversely related to wavelength
High frequency radiation has short wavelengths and more energy, while low frequency radiation has long wavelengths and less energy
radiation 
High-energy, ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the form of x-ray photons
rays 
Possess no mass, no weight, no charge, and travel at the speed of light
Can be deflected or scattered, absorbed by matter, and cause ionization and biological transformations