Question 1

When x-rays pass through matter, which interaction results in x-rays being scattered in all directions?
A) The coherent effect
B) The photoelectric effect
C) The Compton effect

Accepted Answer

The Compton effect is the scattering of x-rays in all directions.

Question 2

The speed of a wave is its
A) Wavelength
B) Velocity
C) Frequency
D) Photon

Accepted Answer

The speed of a wave is its velocity, which is typically measured in meters per second. Wavelength, frequency, and photon are all properties or characteristics of waves, but they do not define the speed of a wave.

Question 3

The Système International unit for measuring absorbed dose is the
A) Gray
B) Sievert
C) Rad
D) Rem

Accepted Answer

The Gray is the SI unit for measuring absorbed dose, which is the amount of energy absorbed by a material when exposed to ionizing radiation. The Gray is defined as the absorption of one joule of ionizing radiation per kilogram of the material. The other options (B, C, D) are units that measure radiation dose equivalent, which take into account the biological effects of different types of radiation on human tissue. However, the primary unit for measuring absorbed dose is the Gray.

Question 4

The amount of energy deposited in the teeth or soft tissue by any type of radiation is called the:
A) exposure amount.
B) absorbed dose.
C) dose equivalent.
D) background radiation.

Accepted Answer

The amount of energy deposited in the teeth or soft tissue by any type of radiation is called the absorbed dose. The other choices are incorrect. Exposure amount refers to the amount of ionization produced in air by radiation. Dose equivalent is the absorbed dose multiplied by a quality factor that takes into account the type of radiation and its effect on living tissue. Background radiation refers to the low levels of radiation that are constantly present in the environment from natural and artificial sources.

Question 5

The units used to measure the dose equivalent of radiation is the:
A) Gray (Gy).
B) Sieverts (Sv).
C) Coulombs per kilogram (C/kg).
D) Roentgens (R).

Accepted Answer

The correct unit for measuring the dose equivalent of radiation is the sievert (Sv). Gray (Gy) is the unit for measuring absorbed dose, coulombs per kilogram (C/kg) is the unit for measuring exposure, and Roentgens (R) is a unit for measuring ionizing radiation in air.

Question 6

A weighting (qualifying) factor is used to determine which of the following?
A) coulombs per kilogram
B) sievert
C) roentgen
D) gray

Accepted Answer

The sievert is a unit used to measure the health effect of ionizing radiation on the human body, taking into account the type of radiation and its energy. It is a weighting factor used to convert physical dose measurements (such as grays) into a form that better reflects the biological effects of radiation.

Question 7

Each of the following is a form of ionizing radiation EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
A) Cosmic rays
B) X-rays
C) Radio waves
D) Gamma rays

Accepted Answer

Radio waves are not a form of ionizing radiation. They have a much lower frequency and energy than ionizing radiation and do not have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms or molecules. Cosmic rays, X-rays, and gamma rays are all forms of ionizing radiation.

Question 8

What is the maximum number of electron shells (energy levels) an atom can have?
A) 1
B) 3
C) 5
D) 7

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of electron shells (energy levels) an atom can have is 7. This is due to the maximum number of electrons that any shell can hold, which is given by the formula 2n^2, where n is the number of the shell. The first shell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, the second 8, the third 18, the fourth 32, the fifth 50, the sixth 72, and the seventh and final shell can hold a maximum of 98 electrons. Therefore, an atom can have a maximum of 7 electron shells.

Question 9

The emission and movement of electromagnetic or particulate energy through space is known as:
A) ionization.
B) radiation.
C) radioactivity.
D) the formation of ion pairs.

Accepted Answer

Radiation refers to the emission and movement of electromagnetic or particulate energy through space. Ionization is the process of creating ion pairs, and radioactivity refers specifically to the spontaneous decay of atomic nuclei.

Question 10

The majority of x-rays produced by dental x-ray machines are formed by:
A) Characteristic radiation
B) Radionuclide decay
C) Bremsstrahlung radiation
D) Coherent scattering

Accepted Answer

The majority of x-rays produced by dental x-ray machines are formed by bremsstrahlung radiation, which occurs when the high-speed electrons from the cathode strike the anode target and are decelerated, causing them to emit x-rays. Characteristic radiation occurs at lower energies and contributes to a small portion of the x-rays produced in dental x-ray machines. Radionuclide decay and coherent scattering are not involved in dental x-ray production.

Question 11

Each of the following statements about electromagnetic radiations is true EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
A) They have a negative electrical charge.
B) They have no mass.
C) They pass through space as particles and in a wave-like motion.
D) They have no weight.

Accepted Answer

Electromagnetic radiations have no charge, either positive or negative, as they are composed of photons, which are neutral particles.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about x-rays is NOT true?
A) They travel at the speed of light.
B) They are invisible.
C) They have no mass.
D) They travel in convergent lines.

Accepted Answer

X-rays do not travel in convergent lines but in straight lines.

Question 13

Matter is defined as the ability to do work and overcome resistance.

Accepted Answer

Matter is not defined as the ability to do work and overcome resistance. Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass.

Question 14

The sievert and rem are units of measurement for:
A) the radiation exposure in the air.
B) the amount of energy absorbed by tissues.
C) the comparison of biological effects.
D) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

The sievert and rem are units used to measure the biological effects of ionizing radiation, accounting for the type of radiation and its impact on human tissue.

Question 15

The smallest particle of a substance that still retains the properties of that substance is a/an:
A) atom.
B) electron.
C) neutron.
D) molecule.

Accepted Answer

An atom is the basic unit of a chemical element, but atoms are made up of smaller particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. A neutron is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, and an electron is a negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus. A molecule, on the other hand, is the smallest particle of a substance that still retains the properties of that substance. It consists of two or more atoms, either of the same element or of different elements, that are chemically bonded together. Therefore, the best choice is D) molecule.

Question 16

Each of the following is a form of energy EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
A) Heat
B) Water
C) Light
D) X-radiation

Accepted Answer

Water is not a form of energy, but a substance that can have thermal energy (heat) and kinetic energy (movement). Heat, light, and X-radiation are all forms of energy.

Question 17

Which one of these is NOT a Système International (SI) unit of measurement?
A) Sievert
B) Roentgen
C) Coulombs per kilogram
D) Gray

Accepted Answer

Roentgen is not an SI unit of measurement, while the other three (Sievert, Coulombs per kilogram, and Gray) are SI units used to measure radiation exposure and dose.

Question 18

The measure of the number of waves that pass a given point per unit of time is known as the:
A) angstrom unit.
B) wavelength.
C) frequency.
D) velocity.

Accepted Answer

Frequency is defined as the number of waves that pass a given point in a given time. It is usually measured in Hertz (Hz) which represents the number of cycles per second. The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs of a wave, while velocity is the speed at which the wave travels. The angstrom unit is a unit of length used to measure wavelengths of light and is not related to frequency.

Question 19

The greatest exposure to ionizing radiation to the population comes from
A) Medical x-rays
B) Occupational exposure
C) Dental x-rays
D) Background radiation

Accepted Answer

Background radiation is the radiation that we are exposed to from natural sources like rocks, soil, and cosmic rays, and it is the primary source of exposure for most people. Medical and dental x-rays and occupational exposure can also contribute to exposure, but they generally only affect a smaller segment of the population.

Question 20

The wavelength determines the energy and penetrating power of the radiation. The longer the wavelength, the higher the energy of the radiation.
A) The first statement is true. The second statement is false.
B) The first statement is false. The second statement is true.
C) Both statements are true.
D) Both statements are false.

Accepted Answer

The first statement is false because the energy of radiation actually increases with shorter wavelengths, not longer ones. The second statement is incorrect because longer wavelengths generally have lower energy and less penetrating power.

Quiz 2: Characteristics and Measurement of Radiation

When x-rays pass through matter, which interaction results in x-rays being scattered in all directions?

The speed of a wave is its

The Système International unit for measuring absorbed dose is the

The amount of energy deposited in the teeth or soft tissue by any type of radiation is called the:

The units used to measure the dose equivalent of radiation is the:

A weighting (qualifying) factor is used to determine which of the following?

Each of the following is a form of ionizing radiation EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

What is the maximum number of electron shells (energy levels) an atom can have?

The emission and movement of electromagnetic or particulate energy through space is known as:

The majority of x-rays produced by dental x-ray machines are formed by:

Each of the following statements about electromagnetic radiations is true EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Which of the following statements about x-rays is NOT true?

Matter is defined as the ability to do work and overcome resistance.

The sievert and rem are units of measurement for:

The smallest particle of a substance that still retains the properties of that substance is a/an:

Each of the following is a form of energy EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

Which one of these is NOT a Système International (SI) unit of measurement?

The measure of the number of waves that pass a given point per unit of time is known as the:

The greatest exposure to ionizing radiation to the population comes from

The wavelength determines the energy and penetrating power of the radiation. The longer the wavelength, the higher the energy of the radiation.