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X Ray Practice

The document contains a series of questions related to X-ray physics, including calculations of X-ray intensity absorption in muscle, bone, and fat, as well as the operation of an X-ray tube. It discusses the production of X-ray photons, the effects of voltage on wavelength, and methods of X-ray interaction with matter. Additionally, it includes questions about contrast in X-ray imaging and the mechanisms of X-ray attenuation.

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70 views4 pages

X Ray Practice

The document contains a series of questions related to X-ray physics, including calculations of X-ray intensity absorption in muscle, bone, and fat, as well as the operation of an X-ray tube. It discusses the production of X-ray photons, the effects of voltage on wavelength, and methods of X-ray interaction with matter. Additionally, it includes questions about contrast in X-ray imaging and the mechanisms of X-ray attenuation.

Uploaded by

20thead
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1. X-rays are used to scan the human body. A parallel beam of X-rays is incident on a muscle.

The attenuation (absorption)


coefficient μ for X-rays in muscle is 0.96 cm-1.

i. Calculate the fraction of X-ray intensity absorbed by 2.3 cm of muscle.

fraction = ...........................................................
ii. The attenuation coefficients for X-rays in bone and fat are 2.8 cm -1 and 0.90 cm-1 respectively. Two X-ray images
are taken, one with bone and muscle and another with muscle and fat. State and explain which image will give
better contrast.

[1]

2(a). An X-ray tube operates using a 150 kV supply. X-ray photons are produced inside the tube when a beam of high-speed
electrons accelerated from the cathode collide with the metal anode. About 99% of the total kinetic energy of the
electrons at the anode is converted into heat energy which heats the anode. The remaining energy is transformed into
the energy of the X-ray photons.

The current in the electron beam between the cathode and the anode is 4.8 mA.

i. Show that the number of electrons incident at the anode per second is 3.0 × 10 16 s−1.

ii. The anode is made from metal of specific heat capacity 140J kg−1 K−1. It has a mass of 8.6 g. The X-ray tube is
switched on. Calculate the initial rate of increase of temperature of the anode.

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rate of temperature increase = ........................................................... °C s
iii. A single electron is responsible for producing an X-ray photon. Calculate the shortest wavelength of the X-rays
produced from the X-ray tube.

wavelength = ...........................................................

(b). An X-ray scan of the heart and its blood vessels shows very poor contrast. Describe and explain a technique that can be
used to reveal these blood vessels in an X-ray scan.

[2]

3. A radiographer in a hospital directs a parallel beam of X-rays at the leg bone of a patient.
The attenuation (absorption) coefficient of bone is 0.7 cm−1.

The answers below are given to one significant figure.


What is the percentage intensity of X-rays transmitted through bone of thickness 0.7 cm?

A. 0%
B. 40 %
C. 50 %
D. 60 %

Your answer
[1]

4. The potential difference across the cathode and the anode of an X-ray tube is V. The minimum wavelength of the X-ray
photons emitted from the tube is λo.

Which of the following statements is / are correct?

1. λo is halved when V is doubled.


2. λo is unchanged when the temperature of the cathode is increased.
3. λo is independent of the cathode material.

A. 1, 2 and 3
B. Only 2 and 3
C. Only 1 and 2
D. Only 2

Your answer
[1]
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page.
5. Describe the X-ray attenuation mechanisms of simple scatter and pair production.

simple scatter
...............................................................................................................................................

pair production
.............................................................................................................................................

[2]

6. A patient is having an X-ray scan. The X-rays interact with the atoms in the patient. Name and describe the three
methods by which X-rays interact with matter.

In your answer, you should make clear why the transmitted intensity of the X-rays decreases.

[4]

7. An X-ray image of a patient’s arm is required.


Fig. 23.1 shows a parallel beam of X-rays is incident on a cross-section of the patient’s arm.

Fig. 23.2 shows the variation of the intensity of the X-rays with distance x from the point A.

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Explain the shape of the graph shown in Fig. 23.2.

[4]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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