Ch 4

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on the X-ray circuit, including electricity principles, circuit components, and the process of x-ray production.

Electric Charge

A property of matter that can be positive or negative; fundamental to electric interactions.

Electrostatics

The study of stationary electric charges.

Electrodynamics

The study of electric charges in motion.

Coulomb

The unit of measure for electric charge, equivalent to the charge of 6.25 × 10^18 electrons.

Good Conductors

Materials with a large number of free electrons that allow electrical current to flow easily.

Good Insulators

Materials that contain few free electrons, making them ineffective conductors of electricity.

Electrification

The process of adding a net electric charge to an object.

Electric Potential

The capability to do work due to a separation of charges, measured in volts.

Current

The flow of electric charge, represented in amperes.

Resistance

The property of a material that opposes the flow of electric current, measured in ohms.

Ohm's Law

States that the voltage across a conductor is equal to the current multiplied by resistance (V = IR).

Direct Current (DC)

Electric current that flows in one direction only.

Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that changes direction periodically.

Step-up Transformer

A device that increases the voltage from one level to a higher level.

Step-down Transformer

A transformer that decreases voltage from one level to a lower level.

Rheostat

An adjustable resistor used to control electric current.

Filament Circuit

The part of an x-ray circuit that heats the filament to emit electrons.

X-ray Circuit

A complex system containing primary, secondary, and filament circuits for generating x-rays.

Voltage (Volt)

The potential difference that maintains current in a circuit, equal to joules per coulomb.

AC to DC Conversion

The process of using rectifiers to change alternating current into direct current.

Magnetic Field

A region around a magnetic material within which the force of magnetism acts.

Tesla (T)

The SI unit of measurement for magnetic flux density.

Ferromagnetic Materials

Materials that are strongly attracted to magnetic fields, like iron.

Electromagnetic Induction

The generation of electric current by changing a magnetic field or moving a conductor through a magnetic field.

Primary Circuit

The circuit in an x-ray machine that includes the main power supply and step-up transformer.

Secondary Circuit

The part of the x-ray circuit that includes the mA meter and rectifiers.

Ionization Chamber

A device in the AEC that helps determine when to terminate x-ray exposure.

Rectifier

An electronic device that converts AC to DC in an x-ray circuit.

Half-wave Rectification

A method where only one half of the AC cycle is allowed to flow through the circuit.

Full-wave Rectification

A method that allows both halves of the AC cycle to be utilized in the x-ray tube.

Transformer

A device that transfers electrical energy between circuits, altering voltage and current.

Grounding

Connecting an electrical device to the earth to prevent shock and equipment damage.

Self-Induction

The process where a changing magnetic field within a coil induces a current in itself.

Mutual Induction

The induction of current in one coil due to the changing current in another coil nearby.

Autotransformer

A transformer that uses only one coil for both primary and secondary circuits.

Current (Ampere)

The rate of flow of electric charge; one coulomb per second.

Timer Circuit

Part of the x-ray circuit that controls the duration of exposure.

mA (Milliamperes)

A unit of electric current used in the x-ray tube, affecting the quantity of x-rays produced.

Exposure Timer

A device that determines how long the x-ray tube is activated to produce x-rays.

Solid-State Rectifiers

Rectifiers made from semiconductor materials used in modern x-ray circuits.

Capacitor

A device that stores electrical energy temporarily.

Battery

A chemical device that produces a flow of electrons, providing electrical energy stored for later use.

Diode

An electronic component that allows current to flow in only one direction.

Fuses and Circuit Breakers

Protective devices that interrupt the circuit upon detecting a fault or excessive current.

Electronic Devices

Devices that regulate or control the flow of electrical energy in circuits.

Step-up Transformer Operation

Increases voltage for x-ray production from lower to necessary kilovoltage.

Step-down Transformer Operation

Reduces voltage while increasing current in the filament circuit to facilitate electron emission.