2. Differential Absorption

Question 1

When the electrons travel from cathode to anode, what does it hit?

Answer 1

A square target called the source/target/focal point on the spinning anode

Question 2

Give the definition of absorption.

Answer 2

Transfer of energy to matter

Question 3

What are the other names for primary radiation?

Answer 3

1. Useful beam
2. Incident radiation

Question 4

What are the negative effects of scatter radiation?

Answer 4

1. It contributes to others’ doses
   2.Can decrease the quality of the image

Question 5

What is attenuation? Give examples.

Answer 5

Anything that decreases/reduces/gets in the way of the intensity of the beam
1. Absorption
2. Scatter (deflection)

Question 6

If the KVPs are increased, will the absorption be higher or lower?

Answer 6

Decreased absorption (inverse relationship) because more X-rays go through the tissue. Because it’s more penetrating, more photons will reach the IR

Question 7

What are mAs?

Answer 7

-The quantity or intensity of the X-ray beam (a number or value)
-The total quantity of x-rays produced in a BEAM

Question 8

What does mA change?

Answer 8

The number of electrons that flow across the tube per second and therefore change the number of photons produced

Question 9

What are KVPs

Answer 9

Quality/Energy of radiation (Determines the penetrating ability of the radiation)

Question 10

Do mAs affect absorption?

Answer 10

No, mAs do not affect absorption, or change the proportion of absorbed photons

Question 11

Will a higher kVp produce higher or lower contrast?

Answer 11

Lower contrast (inverse relationship) because more absorption takes place therefore more shades of grey will appear