Practice Problems

1. Match the term on the right with the definition of the left:

¾ The dose measured at a depth 1. PDD

divided by the dose at Dmax
keeping a constant source to 2. TAR
surface distance
3. SAR
¾ The dose measured at a depth
divided by the dose in free space 4. BSF
keeping a constant source to
chamber distance 5. Scp

¾ The ratio of the scattered dose at

a point in the phantom to the
dose in free space at the same
point

¾ The dose measured at Dmax

divided by the dose in free space
keeping a constant source to
chamber distance

¾ The dose rate at a reference depth

for a given field size divded by
the dose rate at the same point
and depth for the reference field
(e.g. 10x10cm)

2. To convert dose in free space to dose at dmax in water, you have to

a. multiply by Sc c. multiply by BSF

b. divide by Sc d. divide by BSF

3. TMR is a special case of TPR where dref = dmax.

True False
4. The %DD at a given depth in a material is ____________ by
a. increased
b. decreased
c. not affected

(place correct answer – a,b,c – in the spaces below)

_____1. decreasing the field size

_____2. increasing the photon energy

_____3. increasing the SSD

_____4. decreasing the dose rate

_____5. increasing the depth (beyond dmax depth)

5. TAR is dependent upon which of the following factors

1. beam quality
2. depth
3. field size
4. SSD
5. Dose rate

a. 1, 2, 3

b. 2, 3, 4

c. 3, 4, 5

d. 1, 2, 3, 4

e. 1, 2, 3, 5

f. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

6. To calculate TAR from %DD, which of the following formulas would be used?
a. TAR = BSF x %DD c. TAR = Inv.Square x BSF
Inv. Square %DD

b. TAR = Inv. Square

BSF x %DD
7. At larger depths, TAR is smaller for high-energy photons compared to low beam
qualities.

True False

8. The depth of maximum dose for a photon beam is approximately equal to:

a. the depth at which dose and kerma are equal

b. the maximum range of the secondary electrons

c. the depth at which electronic equilibrium occurs

d. all of the above

e. none of the above

9. Convert the following: 100mGy = __________ centi-rads

a. 1
b. 10
c. 100
d. 1000
e. 10000

10. Inverse square law:

Point A is located 10cm from a point source and has an intensity of 100 mR/hr. If
Point B is 100cm from the source, what is the corresponding intensity?

a. 0.01 mR/hr
b. 0.1 mR/hr
c. 1 mR/hr
d. 10 mR/hr
e. 50 mR/hr
f. None of the above

11. How is beam quality for a low energy photon beam (e.g. superficial) described?

a. Maximum kVp

b. PDD at 10cm depth

c. Depth of dmax

d. Half value layer and maximum tube voltage

Problems 12-16: Calculate the equivalent square field size (to the nearest millimeter).

X Jaw (cm) Y Jaw (cm) Equivalent Square

12. 3 12
13. 7.5 18.9
14. 12 17
15. 4 15.3
16. 5.5 13.1

17. What isodose line describes the light field.

a. 20%
b. 40%
c. 50%
d. 80%
e. 100%
f. None of the above

18. What is a wedge factor (WF).

a. Transmission factor
b. Attenuation factor
c. Beam profile modification factor
d. None of the above
e. All of the above

Problems 19-22: As electron beam energy increases

19. Dose gradient (A) increases (B) decreases (C) stays the same
20. Bremsstrahlung dose (A) increases (B) decreases (C) stays the same
21. Penumbra at depth (A) increases (B) decreases (C) stays the same
22. Surface dose (A) increases (B) decreases (C) stays the same

23. What is the practical range (Rp) for a 20 MeV electron beam.
a. 5cm
b. 4cm
c. 10cm
d. 20cm
e. None of the above

24. What is the rate of energy loss with depth for an electron beam in water.
a. 1%
b. 1 MeV/cm
c. 2 MeV/cm
d. 1 MeV/mm
e. 2 MeV/mm
f. None of the above