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RADI115 Radiation Physics
Department of Health Sciences: Radiography
- I. Course Number and Title
- RADI115 Radiation Physics
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- Admission to the radiography program
- Corequisites
- RADI100, RADI105, RADI110, and RADI120
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- None
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course provides basic knowledge of atomic structure and terminology. The concepts of electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic radiation, electric motors, rectification, and the x-ray tube are presented. The nature and characteristics of radiation, x-ray production, and photon interactions with matter are discussed.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- describe the electromagnetic spectrum and the x-ray emission spectra;
- differentiate between ionizing and nonionizing radiation;
- explain the relationship of energy, wavelength and frequency;
- identify the properties of x-rays and principles of x-ray production;
- discuss various photon interactions with matter in terms of description of the interaction, relation to atomic number, photon energy and part density, and their applications in diagnostic radiology;
- compare and contrast generators in terms of radiation production and efficiency; and
- discuss the proper test equipment/procedures for evaluating the operation of an x-ray generator.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- Structure of the atom
- Bohr's theory
- Nucleus
- Components
- Proton
- Neutron
- Structure
- Size
- Proton and electron balance
- Binding energy
- Electron shells
- Components
- Arrangements
- Binding energy
- Valence shell
- Ionization
- Excitation
- Nomenclature
- Atomic number
- Mass number
- Nature of Radiation
- Radiation
- Electromagnetic
- Spectrum
- Wave-particle duality
- Wave theory
- Particle theory
- Properties
- Ionization and excitation
- Particulate
- Types
- Characteristics
- Non-ionizing vs. ionizing
- Atomic number
- Energy
- Probability
- Radioactivity
- Radioactive decay
- Alpha emission
- Beta emission
- Gamma emission
- Half life
- X-ray production
- Historical introduction
- Principles
- Types
- Bremsstrahlung
- Characteristic
- Percentage relationship with energy
- Common terms related to the x-ray beam
- Primary beam
- Remnant beam
- Leakage radiation
- Stray radiation
- Conditions necessary for production
- Source
- Acceleration
- Concentration
- Deceleration
- X-ray emission spectra
- Continuous spectrum
- Discrete spectrum
- Maximum wavelength
- Factors affecting emission spectra
- kVp
- mA
- Time
- Atomic number of target
- Distance
- Filtration
- Voltage waveform
- Efficiency in production
- Description
- Frequency and wavelength
- Interaction of photons with matter
- Transmission of photons
- Attenuated radiation
- Exit/remnant radiation
- Unmodified scattering
- Description of interaction
- Relation to atomic number
- Energy of incident photon and resulting product
- Probability of occurrence
- Application
- Photoelectric effect
- Description of interaction
- Relation to atomic number
- Energy of incident photon and resulting product
- Probability of occurrence
- Atomic number
- Photon energy
- Part density
- Application
- Modified scattering
- Description of interaction
- Relation to atomic number
- Energy
- Probability of occurrence
- Pair production
- Photodisintegration
- X-ray Circuit
- Electricity
- Potential difference
- Current
- Direct
- Alternating
- Resistance
- Protective devices
- Ground
- Circuit breaker
- Transformers
- Step-up
- Step-down
- Components and functions
- Primary circuit
- Secondary circuit
- Filament circuit
- Rectification
- Purpose
- Solid state
- Types
- Single phase
- Three phase
- Falling load
- High frequency
- Radiographic equipment
- Permanent installation
- Tubes
- Collimators
- Tables
- Control panels
- Tube stands
- Wall units
- Manipulation of equipment
- Mobile units
- Types
- Components
- Purpose
- Applications
- Automatic exposure control devices
- Ionization chambers
- Maximum reaction time
- Back up time
- Positioning considerations
- Cell locations
- Cell size
- Cell sensitivity
- Compensating for variations of patient size and pathology
- Diagnostic X-ray tubes
- Rotating anode, cathode, tube housing construction
- Design
- Function
- Extending tube life
- Warm up procedures
- Rotor considerations
- Filament considerations
- Tube loading
- Tube movement
- Heat units
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Student assessment consists of in-class exams, electronically administered exams, multi-media projects, participation in classroom/online discussions, simulation in our Radiology Laboratory. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
- Radiographs
- Audio visual aids- PowerPoint presentations, videos
- Smartboard
- Radiology laboratory
- Shaderware simulation software in computer lab
- Textbooks and reference materials
- See course syllabus
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Review/Approval Date 2/23/16