Radiation Characteristics

5. the intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of radiation
11. the thickness of a specified material (e.g., aluminum) that reduces the intensity by half
12. distance from the source of radiation (tungsten target in anode)to the patient’s skin
13. measurement that refers to the fact that x-rays are created in a series of bursts or pulses rather than in a continuous stream
16. maximum voltage/peak voltage of an alternating current (AC)
18. affects the number of x-rays produced
21. equal to 1/1000 of an ampere
23. the energy or penetrating ability of the x-ray beam and is controlled by the kilovoltage
24. the number of x-rays produced and controlled by the milliamperage

1. regulates the temperature of the cathode filament
2. the number of electrons passing through the cathode filament
3. how sharply dark and light areas are differentiated or separated on an image
4. measurement of force that refers to the potential difference between two electrical charges
6. interval of time during which x-rays are produced
7. distance from the source of radiation to the tooth
8. traveled by the x-ray beam affects the intensity of the beam
9. the number of x-rays produced in the dental x-ray unit
10. distance from the source of radiation to the receptor
13. the total energy contained in the x-ray beam in a specific area at a given time and is affected by kilovoltage, milliamperage, exposure time, and distance
14. image produced with lower kilovoltage
15. image produced with higher kilovoltage
17. overall blackness of an image
19. unit of measurement used to describe the potential that drives an electrical current through a circuit
20. equal to 1000 volts
22. the unit of measure used to describe the number of electrons, or current, flowing through the cathode filament