A-Level Physics OCR A H556

6.5.1: Using X-rays

#6.5.1a

basic structure of an X-ray tube; components – heater (cathode), anode, target metal and high voltage supply

#6.5.1b

production of X-ray photons from an X-ray tube

#6.5.1c

X-ray attenuation mechanisms; simple scatter, photoelectric effect, Compton effect and pair production

#6.5.1d

attenuation of X-rays; $I = I_0e^{-μx}$ where μ is the attenuation (absorption) coefficient

#6.5.1e

X-ray imaging with contrast media; barium and iodine

#6.5.1f

computerised axial tomography (CAT) scanning; components – rotating X-tube producing a thin fan-shaped X-ray beam, ring of detectors, computer software and display

#6.5.1g

advantages of a CAT scan over an X-ray image.

6.4.4

Nuclear fission and fusion

6.5.2

Diagnostic methods in medicine

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