32 Worksheet (A2)

Data needed to answer questions can be found in the Data, formulae and relationships sheet.
 1 State the nature of X-ray radiation. [2]
 2 The energy of an X-ray photon is 50 keV.
a Calculate the energy of the photon in joules. [2]
b Calculate the wavelength of the X-rays. [2]
 3 One of the interaction mechanisms between X-rays and matter is the photoelectric effect.
Name the two other interaction mechanisms. [2]
 4 State one main difference between the images produced by a normal X-ray machine and by
a CAT scan. [1]
 5 Briefly explain what is meant by a non-invasive technique. [1]
 6 State what is meant by ultrasound. [2]
 7 The speed of ultrasound in soft tissue is 1.5 km s−1.
a Calculate the wavelength of ultrasound of frequency 1.8 MHz. [2]
b Use your answer to part a to explain why high-frequency ultrasound is suitable for
medical scans. [1]
 8 Define acoustic impedance. [1]
 9 The table below shows useful data for biological materials.

Material Density / kg m−3 Speed of Acoustic impedance Z

ultrasound /  m s−1 / 106 kg m−2 s−1
soft tissue 1060 1540 1.63
muscle 1075 1590 1.71
bone ? 4000 6.40
blood 1060 1570 1.66
a Calculate the density of bone. [2]
b Calculate the percentage of intensity of ultrasound reflected at the blood–soft tissue
boundary. (Assume the waves are incident at right angles to the boundary.) [3]
c Explain why it would be difficult to distinguish between blood and soft tissue in an
ultrasound scan. [2]
10 Name the five main components of an MRI scanner. [5]
11 Protons have a precession frequency of 40 MHz in a strong uniform magnetic field.
a Describe what is meant by precession. [1]
b State the frequency of the radio frequency (RF) radiation that will cause the protons to
resonate. [1]
c Use your answer to b to determine the wavelength of the RF radiation. [2]

AS and A Level Physics Original material © Cambridge University Press 2010 1

 32 Worksheet (A2)

12 Briefly describe the production of X-rays and explain why an X-ray spectrum may consist
of a continuous spectrum and a line spectrum. [7]
13 The intensity of a collimated X-ray beam is 250 W m -2.
a Define intensity. [1]
b The diameter of the X-ray beam is 4.0 mm. Calculate the power transmitted by the beam. [2]
14 Describe what is meant by a contrast medium and state why it is used in X-ray scans. [2]
15 The potential difference between the cathode and the anode of an X-ray tube is 80 kV.
Calculate the minimum wavelength of the X-rays emitted from this tube. [3]
16 The photoelectric effect is one of the attenuation mechanisms by which X-ray photons
interact with the atoms in the body. Describe some of the characteristics of this mechanism. [3]
17 A collimated X-ray beam is incident on a metal block. The incident intensity of the beam is I0.
a Draw a sketch graph to show the variation with thickness x of the intensity I of the beam. [3]
b Write down an expression for the intensity I in terms of I0 and x.
Explain any other symbol you use. [2]
c The linear absorption coefficient of a beam of 80 keV X-rays is 0.693 mm -1 in copper.
Calculate the thickness of copper necessary to reduce the intensity of the beam to 0.10 I0. [3]
18 a Describe the use of a CAT scanner. [5]
b Compare the image formed in X-ray diagnosis with that produced by a CAT scanner. [3]
19 Outline how ultrasound may be used in medical diagnosis. [5]
20 Explain why, in medical diagnosis using ultrasound, a coupling medium is necessary
between the ultrasound probe and the skin. [6]
21 a When an ultrasound pulse reflects from the front and back edges of a bone, it produces
two peaks on an A-scan. The time interval between these two peaks is 13 s. The speed
of the ultrasound in bone is 4000 m s1. Calculate the thickness of the bone. [3]
b Describe how a B-scan differs from an A-scan. [2]
22 a Outline the principles of magnetic resonance. [6]
b Outline, with the aid of a sketch diagram, the use of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
to obtain diagnostic information about internal body structures. [10]
23 X-Rays, ultrasound and MRI are all used in medical diagnosis.
State one situation in which each of these techniques is preferred and give reasons, one in
each case, for the choice. [6]

Total: Score: %
104

AS and A Level Physics Original material © Cambridge University Press 2010 2