Chapter 3: Interaction of X-Ray Radiation with Matter

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 3 on the interaction of x-ray radiation with matter, including Auger electrons, tissue density, thickness absorption, and the nature of x-rays.

Auger electron

An electron ejected from an atom when the energy liberated by filling an inner-shell vacancy during a photoelectric interaction is transferred to another electron within the atom, rather than emerging as characteristic radiation.

X-rays

Carriers of human-made electromagnetic energy.

Density of air (relative to soft tissue)

Approximately $1000$ times smaller than that of soft tissue, meaning a given volume of air interacts with far fewer x-ray photons and permits more radiation to reach the image receptor.

Effect of anatomic structure thickness on x-ray absorption

If two anatomic structures possess the same density and atomic number but one is twice as thick as the other, the thicker structure absorbs twice as many x-ray photons.