Course: OCR Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification Cambridge Advanced Nationals in Applied Science.
Topic Area 3: Medical Physics
3.1 - X-rays and ultrasound
3.2 -3.2 Radioactivity
These PowerPoints is a whole lessons included with student activities and animated answers.
Electron transitions
Ground state, excited state, and ionised state
The similarities and differences between the types of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, including in terms of production, penetration, uses, frequency and wavelength
Know the definition of a quantum and a photon
Use of the equations:
Energy of a photon (J) = Planck constant (J s) × frequency (Hz)
Energy of a photon (J) = Planck constant (J s) × speed of light in a vacuum (ms–1) / wavelength (m)
Basic structure of an X-ray tube including: heater (cathode), anode, target metal and high voltage supply
How X-rays are produced in an X-ray tube, including thermionic emission and energy transfers
How tube current and voltage affects the X-ray beam
Attenuation of X-rays by absorption and scattering
Use of the attenuation of X-rays equation to calculate intensity
Know mass attenuation coefficient
Use of the mass attenuation coefficient equation.
Examples of longitudinal and transverse waves including sound waves and electromagnetic waves
Graphical representations of longitudinal and transverse waves
Describe wave motion in terms of displacement, amplitude, wavelength, time period, frequency and wave speed.
Describe the relationship between intensity and amplitude
Use of the equations:
Frequency
Wave speed
Intensity
Know definition of ultrasound, including in medical contexts
Reflection, and transmission of ultrasound
Know that a transducer can both transmit pulses and receive reflected pulses
Attenuation of ultrasound by absorption and scattering
Impedance matching and coupling mediums
How to interpret and use A-scans to solve problems
Use of the equations:
Density equation
Acoustic impedance equation
Intensity reflection coefficient equation
The spontaneous and random nature of nuclear radioactive decay
Know types of decay
Properties of nuclear radiation (alpha, beta and gamma)
Nuclear decay equations
Know how to graphically determine the physical half-life of an isotope
Biological, physical and effective half-lives
Use of the activity equation
Use of the equations to determine N/N0/A/A0
Use of the effective half-life equation
Irradiation and contamination
Physiological effects of radiation
Mechanism of direct and indirect ionisation of biological molecules
Absorbed and effective dose
Ionisation and half-equations
Know the definition of radiopharmaceuticals
Use of radionuclides in sterilisation, cancer treatments and medical tracers
How to select a radionuclide for an appropriate use