Notebook 3

Particulate
Radiation

Electromag
netic
Radiation

Definition
high-energy
electrons,
neutrons, and
protons that
produce
ionization in
matter by direct
atomic collisions

Properties
two principle types associated with
radioactive decay, alpha and beta
particles. Alpha particle contains 2
protons and 2 neutrons, a positive
charge and transferred over a short
range in matter (about 5cm). Beta
particles are identical to electrons,
negatively charged, very light, and
travel farther in matter than alpha
particles (10-100cm) in air.

Origin
alpha particles are
emitted from the nuclei
of very heavy elements
as they undergo
radioactive decay, beta
particles are emitted
from the nuclei of
radioactive material

a form of energy
that is the result
of electric and
magnetic
disturbances in
space

includes x rays (this <200keV

range results in ionization through
photoelectric absorption and
Compton scattering) and gamma
rays. Photon energy transfer starts
when a photo interacts with an
atom causing an electron to be set
in motion resulting in a release of
kinetic energy, which is then
absorbed, by the electron via
excitation or ionization; this gives
rise to biological damage in tissue.

gamma rays are emitted

by the nuclei of
radioactive materials
whereas x-ray are manmade in an x-ray tube

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The Wave Theory

Electromagnetic energy travels through space in the form of waves which is defined itself as
disturbances through medium
Such as through the ocean or sound waves
Electromagnetic waves are unique in that no medium is required
they can travel through a vacuum which is what is used in the radiology field.
Waves are measured by wavelength
the distance between any two successive points on a wave measured crest to crest/trough to
trough varying from kilometers to angstroms), frequency (number of waves that passes in a
particular point in a given time frame, or numbers of cycles per second, hertz Hz), amplitude
(intensity of the wave defined by its maximal height), and period (time required to complete
one cycle of the wave)
Lower energy photons act as waves

Fundamental Properties of X-Rays (identified by Rontgen)

travel at the speed of light (3 x 108 meters per second in a vacuum)

are highly penetrating, invisible x-rays that are a form of electromagnetic radiation
travel in straight lines
produce secondary and scatter radiation
are electrically neutral and therefore not affected by either electric or magnetic fields
can be produced over a wide variety of energies and wavelengths (polyenergetic and
heterogeneous)
release very small amounts of heat upon passing through matter
can ionize matter
can fluorescence (the emission of light) of certain crystals
affect photographic film

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produce chemical and biological changes in matter through ionization and excitation