Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Phyisics Unit 3
- Using X-rays ans Ultrasound
- X-rays
- X-rays are part of the electromagnetic
spectrum. They cause ionisation because they
are high-frequency, high-energy waves
- X-rays are absorbed by dense materials like
bone and metal, but pass through less dense
material like paper and healthy tissues.
- X-rays are used :
- In industry, to
examine materials
without damaging
them.
- In airports, to examine
luggage for security
reasons.
- In medicine, to
diagnose medical
conditions.
- Medical X-rays have enough energy
to pass through all tissue except
teeth and bones. If soft tissues
absorb barium or iodine , they will
absorb X-rays.
- CT or CAT scans combine many
X-rays taken from slightly
different positions to produce a
3D image.
- Cancer cells are killed using focused beams of X-rays.
- X-ray are detected using
photographic film, or
electronic detectores that
turn X-rays into an electronic
image on screen.
- X-ray ionise cells and increase the risk of cells
becoming cancerous. The risk increases with
exposure, so a single X-ray is unlikely to be harmful.
- People working with X-rays are
protected using lead screens. Film
badges monitor their exposure to
X-rays.
- Ultrasound
- Ultrasound is waves with a frequency above 20,000Hz ( to high
for humans). Ultrasound travels at different speeds in different
materials and tissues.
- Pules of ultrasound are used to measure distance inside
material because they partially reflected at boundaries
between different materials.
- The speed of ultrasound in
material is known.
- The time for the pulses to reflect off
the boundary and return to the
detector is measured.
- Medical uses of ultrasound:
- Scanning fetuses to check development.
- Detecting and treating
medical conditions such as
kidney stones.
- A gel is smeared on skin before an ultrasound
examination. This stops Pulses reflecting off the
boundarys between skin and air.