electromagnetic energy

what is the electromagnetic energy spectrum

spectrum indicates that the distribution of energies exist in an uninterrupted band

how does the EMS move through space or matter

oscillating magnetic and electric field

what are general characteristics of EMS

no mass or physical from; travel in a linear path (until interaction); transverse, up and down movement; travel at the speed of light

what is the speed of light (c)

3×10^8 m/s

what is the EMS unaffected by

electric or magnetic fields; gravity

what is a cycle

one complete wave form or repetition

what is amplitude

maximum displacement from equilibrium; + and -

what is wavelength

λ or m; distance traveled by wave in a single cycle

what is frequency

f or v, hertz (Hz); # of cycles per unit of time(s)

what is velocity

m/s; speed each cycle travels

what is the relationship between frequency and wavelength

as frequency increase wavelength decreases; inverse relationship

what is the frequency, wavelength, and energy

low frequency, long wavelength, lower energy

what is the frequency, wavelength, and energy

high frequency, short wavelength, high energy

what is planks constant

4.15×10^-15 eVs

what unit is usually used for energy

joules (J)

what is the relationship between frequency and energy

as energy decreases frequency decreases; direct relationship

what is the relationship between wavelength and energy

as energy increases wavelength decreases; inverse relationship

what is attenuation

reduction in the # of x-ray photons; some radiation will be obscured by the patient; some will be scattered ti the IR; slightly similar to absorption

what is refraction

deviation in the line of travel of a light photon; nothing to do with x-rays; needs two mediums

what is radiolucent

x-rays easily penetrate, low atomic number, appear dark

what is radiopaque

x-rays are absorbed, high atomic #, appear light

what is used as contrast media

barium

what are beta particle

like electrons except originate in nucleus of radioactive isotopes

what are gamma rays

like x-rays except originate in nucleus of radioactive isotopes

what is the inverse square law

radiation intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance; x-ray intensity decrease as the source gets further

what is the inverse square law formula

i1/i2=d2²/d1²

what is the frequency and wavelength formula

c/f|w

what is the frequency and energy formula

eV/f|h

what is wavelength and energy formula

12.4/wÅ|Ekev