Atomic Structure
● Atomic Nomenclature: System of naming atoms based on atomic number and mass
number.
● Bohr Atom: Electrons in orbits around protons and neutrons in the dense nucleus.
Atomic Particles
● Electron: Negative charge.
● Neutron: Neutral charge.
● Proton: Positive charge.
Basic Radiation Protection
● ALARA: As Low As Reasonably Achievable.
● Collimation: Controlling the x-ray beam to expose only the area of interest.
● Distance: Maintain a minimum of 6 feet at a right angle from the patient.
● Dosimeters: Measure radiation exposure to technologists.
● Filtration: Removes low energy photons from the x-ray beam.
● Protective Barriers: Lead walls and aprons.
● Shielding: Use of lead aprons for protection.
Combinations of Atoms
● Molecule: Combination of two or more atoms.
Contrast Examination
● Positive and Negative Contrast Agents: Used to enhance imaging of structures.
Diagnostic Imaging Team
● Collaborative team involved in medical imaging procedures.
Discovery of X-rays
● Wilhelm Roentgen: Discovered X-rays on November 8, 1895.
● Crooke’s Tube: Apparatus used in the discovery of X-rays.
● First X-ray: Roentgen’s wife’s hand.
Electron Target Interactions
● Bremsstrahlung: Interaction where a projectile electron slows by the Tungsten atom’s
nuclear field.
● Characteristic Interaction: Occurs only at 69 keV or higher.
Electrodynamics
● Study of the movement of electric charges.
● Direct Current (DC): Charges move in the same direction.
● Alternating Current (AC): Charges move back and forth.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
● Electromagnetic Waves: X-rays, gamma rays, UV light, visible light, microwaves, radio
waves, infrared.
● Wave Speed: All electromagnetic energy travels at the speed of light,
c=3.0×108 m/sc=3.0×108m/s.
● Electromagnetic Wave Equation: c=fλc=fλ (where ff = frequency, λλ = wavelength).
Electromagnetism
● Interaction of electric and magnetic fields.
Electrostatics
● Study of electric charges at rest.
● Like Charges: Repel.
● Unlike Charges: Attract.
Exponential Attenuation
● Process by which the intensity of an x-ray beam decreases exponentially as it passes
through matter.
Exposure Timers
● Automatic Exposure Control (AEC): Terminates exposure when a predetermined
radiation amount hits the receptor.
● Backup Timer: Prevents overexposure; set to 1.5 times expected exposure.
● Electronic Timer: Most accurate form.
● Synchronous Timer: Mechanical, less accurate.
Factors Affecting the X-ray Emission Spectrum
● X-ray quantity, quality, and intensity depend on factors like mAs, kVp, and distance.
Filtration
● Removes low-energy x-rays to reduce patient dose, typically made of aluminum.
Five X-ray Interactions with Matter
1. Coherent Scattering: No ionization; causes image noise.
2. Compton Interaction: Outer-shell electron interaction; results in scattered x-ray.
3. Photoelectric Absorption: Complete absorption of incoming x-ray; appears
white/radiopaque.
4. Pair Production: Interaction at high energies, creating matter.
5. Photodisintegration: High-energy photon interacts with nucleus, leading to nuclear
decay.
Fundamental Particles
● Electron: Negative charge.
● Neutron: Neutral charge.
● Proton: Positive charge.
High-Voltage Generator
● Step-up Transformer: Increases voltage, decreases current.
● Step-down Transformer: Decreases voltage, increases current.
Inversely Proportional Waves
● Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional.
Inverse Square Law
● The intensity of radiation decreases with the square of the distance from the
source:I1I2=d22d12I2I1=d12d22
Law of Conservation of Energy
● Energy cannot be created or destroyed.
Law of Conservation of Matter
● Matter cannot be created or destroyed.
Magnetism
● Diamagnetic: Slightly repelled (e.g., water, plastic).
● Paramagnetic: Slightly attracted (e.g., gadolinium).
● Ferromagnetic: Strongly attracted (e.g., iron, nickel).
● Nonmagnetic: Unaffected by a magnet (e.g., wood, glass).
Matter
● Anything that occupies space and has mass (kg).
Operating Console
● Autotransformer: First to receive power, responsible for kVp.
● Line Compensator: Ensures 220V input.
● Technical Factors: mA, kVp, and exposure time.
Particles
● Smallest units of matter involved in radiation interactions.
Photons
● Smallest form of electromagnetic energy.
Radioactivity
● The decay of unstable atomic nuclei.
Radiation Physics Units
● Absorbed Dose: Gray (Gyt), radiation in tissue.
● Effective Dose: Sieverts (Sv), occupational dose.
● Exposure: Air Kerma (Gya), radiation in air.
● Radioactivity: Becquerel (Bq).
Radiographic Technique Chart
● Provides guidelines for exposure based on factors like body part and thickness.
Reports of Radiation Injury
● Historical documentation of radiation-induced injuries.
Shielding
● Use of protective barriers, such as lead aprons, to prevent radiation exposure.
Sources of Ionizing Radiation
● Natural: Radon is the highest form.
● Man-made: Diagnostic x-ray is the highest form.
Standard Units of Measurement
● Exposure: Air Kerma (Gya).
● Absorbed Dose: Gray (Gyt).
● Effective Dose: Sieverts (Sv).
● Radioactivity: Becquerel (Bq).
Step-up and Step-down Transformers
● Step-up Transformer: Increases voltage, decreases current.
● Step-down Transformer: Increases current, decreases voltage.
Types of Ionizing Radiation
● Gamma Rays: Originates from the nucleus.
● X-rays: Originates from electron shells.
X-ray Emission Spectrum
● Graph showing the distribution of x-ray energies emitted from the tube.
X-ray Interaction with Matter
● X-rays interact with matter in several ways, including Compton Scattering and
Photoelectric Absorption.
X-ray Quantity and Quality
● Quantity: Number of x-rays (mAs).
● Quality: Energy or penetrability (kVp).