 | Term | Definition |
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Wavelength |
The penetrating power of an X-ray beam determined by its energy and measured by the distance from one crest to the next |
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Mechanical energy |
Can be classified as either kinetic energy or potential energy |
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Sine wave |
A form of repeating wave that changes the field through which electric and magnetic properties pass |
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Electromagnetic energy |
Consists of light, X-rays, radio waves and microwaves |
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Energy levels |
Used to refer to the orbital shells of an atom |
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Resistance to an electrical circuit |
Any property of the circuit that opposes or hinders the flow of current |
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Important functions of an electrical outlet |
Resistance and frequency |
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Velocity |
Method that all electromagnetic energy moves through space |
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Frequency of wave |
The number of times per second that a crest passes a given point |
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Sine Wave Velocity |
Wavelength x Frequency = Velocity |
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Photon |
The smallest possible unit of electromagnetic energy |
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Energy |
The ability to do work |
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Kinetic energy |
Energy of motion, the ability of a moving object to do work |
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Potential energy |
"Stored" energy |
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Chemical energy |
Released through chemical changes in atoms or molecules |
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Thermal energy |
The result of atomic motion; commonly called heat |
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Nuclear energy |
The energy released by radionuclides used to produce electricity in a nuclear power plant |
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Electric energy |
Electricity; the ability of electric charges to do work |
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Ionization |
The process of producing an atom with an electric charge; gaining or losing electrons |
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Proton |
One of the fundamental particles that compose atoms; positive charge of +1 |
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Voltmeter |
Device used to measure the difference in electrical potential between two points in a parallel circuit |
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Electron |
One of the fundamental particles that compose an atom; located in an orbit around the nucleus and is negatively charged -1 |
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Ammeter |
Device used to measure the current flowing in a series circuit |
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Transformer |
Increases or decreases voltage |
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Atom |
Building blocks of matter |
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Matter |
Anything that occupies space and has shape or form; solids, liquids and gas |
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K shell |
Innermost shell of an atom |
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Potential difference |
The force or strength of the electron flow in a current |
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Mass |
The quantity of matter that makes up any physical object |
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Step-down transformer |
A two-coil transformer with more windings on the primary side |
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Direct current |
Current that flows in only one direction |
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Current |
The quantity of electrons flowing through a circuit |
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Ohm |
Unit of resistance |
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Weight |
Term which means approximately the same thing as "mass" |
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X-Rays consist of... |
Electromagnetic energy |
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Volts |
Units of which potential difference is measured |
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60 Hz |
The frequency of alternating current delivered by electrical utilities in the U.S. and Canada |
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Laws of Conservation |
Matter and Energy can be neither created nor destroyed, but can change form |
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Characteristics of X-Rays |
Have no mass * Highly penetrating and invisible * Electrically neutral * Cause fluorescence in certain crystals * Cannot be focused with a lens * Produce biological changes in tissues * Affect photographic film |
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Kilovolt peak (kVp) |
Measures the potential difference across an X-Ray tube; equal to 1000 volts |
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Milliampere (mA) |
Measures X-ray tube current; equal to 1/1000 of an ampere |
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Ampere (A) |
Measures the rate of current flow in a circuit |
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Diode |
Allows electrons to flow in only one direction |
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Rectification |
Alternating current converted so that it flows in one direction only |
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Step-up transformer |
A two-coil transformer with more windings on the secondary side |
