Course Description
The goal of this course is to familiarize radiologic technologists and other healthcare professionals with the basic principles of radiation physics. Understanding radiation physics, the types and properties of radiation, and its effects on the human body is crucial for understanding and applying principles of radiation safety. The course will provide an overview of physics relevant to diagnostic imaging, including the structure of matter, the nature of energy, types of radiation, sources of radiation, X-ray production, target interactions, properties of the X-ray beam, and X-ray photon interactions with matter.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content, the participant should be able to:

• EXPLAIN the structure of matter, the nature of energy, and the different types of radiation and radiation sources.
• SUMMARIZE the process of X-ray production including the source of free electrons and the acceleration, focusing, and deceleration of electrons.
• DEFINE bremsstrahlung and characteristic target interactions.
• SUMMARIZE in detail the frequency, wavelength, quality, quantity, and fundamental properties of the X-ray beam.
• OUTLINE the concepts of the inverse square law and how it relates to X-ray beam intensity and radiation protection.
• EXPLAIN photon interactions with matter including the Compton effect, photoelectric absorption, coherent scatter, and attenuation of the X-ray beam by various body tissues (body part thickness and tissue type).

 

Categories: Radiology, X-ray/Radiography/Fluoroscopy, Radiation Safety/Protection

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 24 out of 32 questions correctly to receive CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 4.0 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit (for Technical credits). 

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.

Category	Content Area	Credits
Computed Tomography	Image Production	0.25
Computed Tomography	Safety	1.75
Mammography	Image Production	0.25
Nuclear Medicine	Safety	2.5
Radiation Therapy	Safety	3
Radiography	Image Production	0.5
Radiography	Safety	3
Radiologist Assistant	Safety	0.25

Category	Subcategory	Credits
Computed Tomography	Image Formation	0.25
Computed Tomography	Radiation Safety and Dose	1.75
Mammography	Image Acquisition and Quality Assurance	0.25
Nuclear Medicine	Radiation Physics, Radiobiology, and Regulations	2.5
Radiation Therapy	Radiation Physics and Radiobiology	3
Radiography	Equipment Operation and Quality Assurance	0.25
Radiography	Image Acquisition and Evaluation	0.25
Radiography	Radiation Physics and Radiobiology	3
Radiologist Assistant	Patient Safety, Radiation Protection and Equipment Operation	0.25

Category	Credits
Digital	4
Fluoroscopy	0
Mammography	0