Bushong: Radiologic Science for Technologists, 11th Edition
Chapter 03: Electromagnetic Energy
Answers to Challenge Questions
1. a. The smallest quantity of any type of electromagnetic radiation; it may be pictured as
a small bundle of energy, sometimes called a quantum.
b. Characteristic of materials that allow x-rays to penetrate with a minimum of
attenuation. Radiolucent structures are nearly invisible on radiographs.
c. A mathematical relationship describing the reduction in radiation intensity with
distance from a point source. The intensity is inversely proportional to the square of
the distance of the object to the source.
d. The number of wavelengths passing a point per second.
e. Energy can be transformed into another form or into matter, but it cannot be created
or destroyed.
f. A form of ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus of a
radioactive atom.
g. The wide range of electromagnetic radiation described by its frequency, wavelength,
or energy.
h. The mathematical or graphical description of a simple harmonic motion.
i. A single unit of electromagnetic radiation.
j. A narrow region in the middle of the electromagnetic spectrum extending from
approximately 400 nm (blue) to 700 nm (red).
2. Wavelength = 6.2 ´ 10−7 m; velocity = 3 ´ 108 m/s.
3. Velocity = 400 m/s. Distance = 2400 m or approximately 1½ miles.
4. 3 ´ 1012 Hz.
5. 2.88 m.
6. 6.75 ´ 1018 Hz.
7. 2.65 ´ 1019 Hz; 1.13 ´ 10−11 m.
8. 1.76 ´ 10−14 J; 1.95 ´ 10−31 kg.
9. 0.0125 mGya/mAs (1.25 mR/mAs).
10. 0.071 mGya/mAs (7.1 mR/mAs).
11. Velocity = frequency ´ wavelength (v = f ´ l).
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Answers to Challenge Questions 3-2
12. Inversely. As frequency increases, wavelength decreases proportionately.
13. I1/I2 = d22/d12 or I1/I2 = (d2/d1)2, where I1 is the intensity at distance d1 from the source
and I2 is the intensity at distance d2 from the source. The reduction in intensity with an
increase in distance from a point source of radiation.
14. 89 mlm.
15. Radiofrequency by frequency (Hertz), visible light by wavelength (meters), and x-
radiation by energy (electron volts).
16. Range of energies of diagnostic x-rays is: 20 to 150 keV.
17. Origin. X-rays are emitted from the electron cloud. Gamma rays are emitted from the
nucleus.
18. The wave-particle duality of electromagnetic radiation.
19. The reduction of x-ray beam intensity because of absorption and scatter.
20. The frequency of a 70 keV x-ray is: 1.69 ´ 1019 Hz.
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