Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 General Catalog 
    
2022-2023 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Add to Pathway (opens a new window)

RAD 430 - Radiographic Physics


Last Date of Approval: Spring 2021

3 Credits
Total Lecture Hours: 45
Total Lab Hours: 0
Total Clinical Hours: 0
Total Work-Based Experience Hours: 0

Course Description:
This course is one semester, students explore the physical concepts of energy, the structure of matter, electrostatics, electrodynamics, magnetism, electromagnetism, electric generators and motors. This course is designed for students who are pursuing a radiologic technology degree. The principles of electricity are studied as it relates to x-ray circuits, rectification, and x-ray production. X-ray tubes, rating charts, and interaction of x-rays with matter are included. This course will help students gain the basic knowledge of radiographic physics and will help provide entry-level skills related specifically to radiologic technologist job duties while enhancing their overall knowledge when making important life decisions.

Corequisites: RAD 365, RAD 142, RAD 230 
Prerequisites: RAD 320  , RAD 122  , RAD 210  
Prerequisites/Corequisites: PSY 111   or PSY 112   with a C or higher

Mode(s) of Instruction: Trinational/Face-to-Face

Credit for Prior Learning: There are no Credit for Prior Learning opportunities for this course.

Course Fees: None

Common Course Assessment(s): None

Student Learning Outcomes and Objectives:
Student Learning Outcomes:

  1. Perform mathematical problems of arithmetic, algebra, and ratios.
  2. Understand the use of fundamental units.
  3. Identification and interpretation of various charts and diagrams.
  4. Comprehend the general principles of the physical concepts of energy.
  5. Learn and analyze principles of energy and structure of matter.
  6. Develop an understanding of electrostatics, electrodynamics, magnetism, and electromagnetism.
  7. Develop an understanding of generators and motors.
  8. Learn the theory and process of rectification.
  9. Develop an understanding of the x-ray imaging system, x-ray tube construction, production, and emission.
  10. Understand the various x-ray interactions with matter.
  11. Learn the purpose and basic function of Fluoroscopy, Digital Fluoroscopy and Interventional Fluoroscopy.
  12. Utilize critical thinking skills in evaluating situations, problems, and challenges that students may encounter in the Radiology Profession

Course Objectives:

Unit 1 -

  • Identify the properties of photons
  • Explain the inverse square law
  • Define wave theory and quantum theory
  • Discuss the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Define electrification and provide examples.
  • List the laws of electrostatics.
  • Identify units of electric current, electric potential, and electric power.
  • Identify the interactions between matter and magnetic fields.
  • Discuss the four laws of magnetism.
  • Relate the experiments of Oersted, Lenz, and Faraday in defining the relationships between electricity and magnetism.
  • Identify the laws of electromagnetic induction.

Unit 2 -

  • Identify the components of the operating console positioned outside the x-ray examination room
  • Explain the operation of the high-voltage generator, including the filament transformer and the rectifiers
  • Relate the importance differences among single-phase, three-phase, and highfrequency power.
  • Identify the voltage ripple associated with various high-voltage generators
  • Discuss the importance of voltage ripple to x-ray quantity and quality
  • Define the power rating of an x-ray imaging system

Unit 3 -

  • Describe the general design of an x-ray tube.
  • List the external components that house and protect the x-ray tube.
  • Identify the purpose of the glass or metal enclosure.
  • Discuss the cathode and filament currents.
  • Describe the parts of the anode and the induction motor.
  • Define the line-focus principle and the heel effect.
  • Identify the three causes of x-ray tube failure.
  • Explain and interpret x-ray tube rating charts.

Unit 4 -

  • Discuss the interactions between projectile electrons and the x-ray tube target.
  • Identify characteristic and bremsstrahlung x-rays.
  • Describe the x-ray emission spectrum.
  • Explain how mAs, kVp, added filtration, target material and voltage ripple affect the x-ray emission spectrum.
  • Define radiation quantity and its relation to x-ray intensity.
  • List and discuss the factors that affect the intensity of the x-ray beam.
  • Explain x-ray quality and penetrability.
  • List and discuss the factors that affect the quality of the x-ray beam.

Unit 5 -

  • Discuss the development of fluoroscopy
  • Explain visual physiology and its relationship to fluoroscopy
  • Describe the components of an image intensifier
  • Calculate brightness gain and identify its units
  • List the approximate kVp levels for common fluoroscopic examinations
  • Discuss the role of the television monitor and the television in forming fluoroscopic images

Unit 6 -

  • Discuss the parts of a digital fluoroscopy system and explain the functions
  • Compute pixel size in digital fluoroscopy
  • Describe the use of a CCD instead of a TV camera tube
  • Outline the procedures for temporal subtraction and energy subtraction

Unit 7 -

  • Describe the measures used to provide radiation protection for patients and personnel during interventional radiology
  • Describe the reasons why minimally invasive (percutaneous) vascular procedures often are more beneficial than traditional surgical procedures
  • Discuss the advantages that nonionic (water-soluble) contrast offer over ionic contrast media
  • Identify the risks of arteriography
  • Describe the special equipment found in the interventional suite



Add to Pathway (opens a new window)