Bushong: Radiologic Science for Technologists, 11th Edition

Chapter 05: The X-ray Imaging System

Answers to Challenge Questions

1. a. A material that can sometimes conduct an electric current and sometimes not,
depending on the voltage applied across that material.
b. An electronic device designed to terminate x-ray exposure after properly exposing
an image receptor.
c. A method of adjusting the voltage to the x-ray imaging system to a constant value,
to compensate for fluctuations in voltage supplied by the power company.
d. An electric circuit device that stores electric charge.
e. Placed in the tube circuit, connected at the center of the secondary winding of the
high-voltage step-up transformer in series with the x-ray tube. This reduces the
possibility of shock.
f. An electric device that contains two electrodes.
g. The fluctuation in the voltage applied to the x-ray tube expressed as a percentage of
peak kilovoltage.
h. The process of changing alternating current and voltage into direct current and
voltage.
i. A type of transformer having a single winding.
j. The product of voltage and current. Watt.

2. 302.5 V.

3. 71.7 Volt.

4. 5 V.

5. 6 Amps.

6. 104.5 kV.

7. See Figure 5-32.

8. Allow relatively undiminished intensity of x-rays through the tabletop.

9. 90° to vertical so that the patient is standing; 20° head-down.

10. On/off control, kVp selection, mA selection, time (mAs) selection, and automatic-
exposure controls.

11. To vary and control the amplitude of the voltage supplied to the high-voltage step-up
transformer and the filament transformer.

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Answers to Challenge Questions 5-2

12. Primary voltage and secondary voltage are in direct relation to the number of turns of
the transformer.

13. The precise adjustment of the supply voltage and monitoring the kVp before the x-ray
exposure.

14. 3.3 mAs.

15. 18 mAs.

16. The high-voltage transformer is just one component of a high-voltage generator.

17. In order that a reverse voltage is not applied across the x-ray tube. And x-ray tubes
operate most efficiently on DC current.

18. Single-phase, 100%; three-phase, twelve-pulse, 4%; three-phase, six-pulse, 14%;

high-frequency, 1%.

19. High-frequency generator.

20. Single-phase power (kW) = 0.7 (mA)(kVp) ´ 10−3.

Three-phase power (kW) = (mA)(kVp) ´ 10−3.

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