2020

X - RAYS

TEACHERS OF PHYSICS
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7/19/2020
1. State two properties of X – rays (2mk)
 They travel in straight lines with speed of light.
 They carry no charge.

2. State one property of X-rays that show that X-rays are waves (1mk)
 They undergo interference ,diffraction and polarization effect.

3. State the effect on the nature of x – rays when the heater current is increased
(2mk)
 The number of electrons produced increases hence the intensity of x-rays is increased.

4. Give two uses of x – rays (2mk)

 In industries to detect flaws in metal castings and welding.
 In science to study the structure of wood.
 In medicine by dentists to find complications and cavities in teeth.

5. State one danger of x – rays (1mk)

 They kill living cells or turn them into cancer cells.

6. Distinguish between ‘hard and soft’ x – rays (1mk)

 Hard x-rays are produced by high voltage while soft x-rays are produced by low voltage.

7. State one property of X-rays that show that X-rays are waves (1mk)
 They undergo interference ,diffraction and polarization effect.

8. State one industrial use of X-rays. (1mk)

 To detect flaws in metal castings and welding.
 To sterilize surgical equipment before packaging.

9. State the factor that determines the hardness of the X-rays produced in an X-
ray tube (1 mk)
 Potential difference between the cathode and the anode.

10. Explain how the intensity of X-rays produced in an X-ray tube is controlled
(3mk)
 The higher the temperature of the filament current the greater is the number of electrons
produced and hence greater is the intensity of x-rays.
11. State one difference between hard and soft X – rays. (1mk)
 Hard x-rays have short wavelength while soft x-rays have longer wavelength.
 Hard x-rays are more penetrating while soft x-rays are less penetrating.
12. What adjustment on the x-ray tube will:
(i) Increase the hardness of the x-rays (1mk)
 Increase the accelerating voltage by setting a higher value.
(ii) Reduce the intensity of the x-rays. (1mk)
 Lowering the heating current which will reduce the number of electrons
produced.

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13. For a given source of X-rays, how would the following be controlled.
i) Intensity
 By heating the filament current at the cathode.
ii) The penetrating power
 By varying the accelerating potential/ high voltage.
iii) The exposure to patients
 By use of protective lead shielding which absorbs stray radiations.
(iv) The quality of the X-rays (1mk)
 By varying the accelerating potential/high voltage.

14. Explain why X-rays are appropriate in study of the crystalline structure
materials.
 X-rays can be diffracted by crystals.

15. Name the metal used to shield X-rays operators from the radiation. Give
reasons why it is used.
 Lead – It has high atomic mass hence very dense. This enables it to stop or absorb x-
rays.

16. State the properties of X-rays, which makes it possible to detect cracks in
bones.
 X-rays have high penetrating power.
17. State and explain the effect of increasing the EHT in an X- ray tube on the X-
rays produced.
 The speed of the electrons produced increases hence the strength of x-rays is increased.

18. Figure below shows the features of an X-ray tube.

X

E G

Oil in

Oil out

H
A
B F
C D
a) Name the parts marked with letters and state their function A, B, C, D, E,
F, G, and H
A. Cooling fins
B. Copper anode.
C. Tungsten target.

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 D. X-rays
E. Electron beam.
F. Filament.
G. Lead shield.
H. Cathode

b) State and explain which material is suitable for part C.(1mk)

 Tungsten or molybdenum. It is made of high melting point to withstand
high temperatures.
c) Why is part B made of thick copper metal (1mk)
 To ensure efficient dissipation of heat.
d) The machine should be surrounded by G. (1mk)
 To absorb the stray x-ray radiations which would otherwise affect the x-
ray tube operators.
e) Why is the tube evacuated? (1mk)
 To prevent electrons from losing energy due to collisions with air
molecules and ionization.
f) State a reason why H is concave shaped. (1mk)
 To focus the electron beam onto the target.
g) During the operation of the tube, the target becomes very hot. Explain
how this heat is caused. (2mk)
 The kinetic energy of the cathode rays is converted to heat energy.
h) What effect will increasing current at F have on x-ray produced?
(1mk)
 The temperature of the cathode increases. This increases the number of electrons
released hence the intensity of x-rays.
i) What effect will increasing the p.d at B have on the x-rays produced(2mk)
 Hard x-rays of very short wavelengths are produced.
j) State two ways in which cooling is achieved in this X-ray machine. (2mk)
 By efficient cooling fins on the outside of the tube.
 By circulating oil through the channels in the copper anode.
k) It would be necessary for the target to rotate during operation of this
machine. (1mk)
 To change the point of impact thus reducing tear and wear on it.
l) State energy changes that occur in the tube during x-ray production(1mk)
 Electrical─ heat──kinetic─ (x-rays+ heat at the cathode)

ENERGY OF X- RAY
1. The potential between the anode and the cathode of an x-ray tube is 80KV.
Calculate, The energy of an electron accelerated in the tube. (3mk)
(Electronic charge e = 1.6 x 10-19C)
E=e V
=1.6X10-19CX80000V
=1.28X10-14J
2. The accelerating voltage between cathode and anode is 1000V. Calculate the
(i) Energy possessed by the electrons across the tube. (3mks)
E=e V
=1.6X10-19CX1000V
=1.6X10-16J

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 (iii) Speed of the electrons (take e = 1.6 x 10-19C me = 9.1 x 10-31 kg)
(3mks)
v =√

=√
=√
=1.875X107m/s

3. An x-ray tube has an accelerating p.d of 50kv. Determine the shortest

wavelength of in its x-ray beam. (Take C=3.0 x 108 ms-1) e = 1.6 x 10-19 h =
6.63 x 10-34Js)
E=e V
=1.6X10-19CX50000V
=8X10-15J
λ =
=
=2.486X10-11m

4. An x-ray tube operating at a potential difference of 50KV has a tube current of

20mA. Calculate
i) The electric power input. (2mks)
P=VI
=50000V X 20X10-3A
= 1000W or 1000J/s

ii) The number of electrons hitting the target per second. (2mks)
Q=It
=20X10-3AX1s
=2.0x10-2C
n=

=1.25X1017 electrons

iii) The velocity of the electrons when they hit the target. (3mks)
v =√

=√
=√
=2.965X107m/s
If only 5% of the energy of the electrons is converted to x-rays,
iv) Estimate the quantity of heat produced per second. (2mks)
Q=PXt
= X1000W X1s
=950J or 950Nm

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 v) Find the X-ray power output. (2mk)
power output= X95OW
=47.5W

5. If the accelerating voltage is 200Kv. Calculate

-19
(i) Kinetic energy of the electron arriving at the target. Take (e=1.6 x10 ) (2mk)
K.E=e V
=1.6X10-19X200000V
= 3.2X10-14J
(ii) If 0.1% of the electron energy is converted into X rays, determine the minimum
wavelength of the emitted X rays. (h = 6.63 x 10-34 Js and C = 3.0 x 108m/s)
(3mk)
E= X 3.2X10-14J
=3.2X10-17J

Wavelength, λ =

=6.216X10-9m

6. Calculate the minimum wavelength of X-rays emitted when electrons through

30 kV strike target. (Take electronic charge, e = 1.6 x 10-19 C, Planck’s constant
h = 6.63 x 10-34 Js and speed of light c = 3.0 x 108 ms-1) (3mk)
If the accelerating voltage is 100KV. Calculate:
(i) Kinetic energy of the electrons arriving at the target. (e=1.6x10 -19C)

(3mks
K.E= e V
= 1.6X10-19X100000V
= 1.6X10-14J

(ii) If 0.5% of the electron energy is converted into x-rays. Determine the
minimum wavelength of the emitted x-rays. (h=6.63x10-34J.S and
C=3.0x108ms-1) (3mk)
E= X1.6X10-19J
=8X10-17J
Wavelength, λ =

=2.486X10-9m

7. In an x – ray tube operating at 100kV, the tube current is 20mA.

(i) Determine the number of electrons hitting the target every second
(Charge of an electron = 1.6 x 10-19C) (3mk)
Q=It
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 =20X10-3AX1s
=2.0x10-2C
n=

=1.25X1017 electrons

(ii) If only 0.49% of the electrons is converted to x – rays, calculate the

quantity of heat produced per second. (3mk)
P=VI
=100000V X 20X10-3A
=2000W
Q=PXt
= X2000W X1s
=1990.2J

8. An accelerating potential of 30kV is applied to an X-ray tube. Calculate;

(i) The Kinetic energy of the electrons accelerated by this potential.
(3mk)
E=e V
=1.6X10-19X30000V
=4.8X10-15J
(ii) The maximum frequency of the X-rays produced by the tube
Take e = 1.602 x 10-19C and h = 6.62 x 10-34Js) (3mks)
f=
=
=7.240X1018Hz

9. An X-ray tube is operating with an anode potential of 10kV and a current of

15 mA.
a) Explain how the
i) Intensity of X-rays from such a tube may be increased.
By increasing the temperature of filament current.This increases the number of electrons released.
ii) Penetrating power of X- rays from such a tube may be
increased
By increasing the accelerating potential difference between the cathode and the anode
b) Calculate the number of electrons hitting the anode per second.
Q=It
=15X10-3AX1s
=1.5x10-2C
n=

=2.5X1017 electrons

c) Determine the velocity with which the electrons strike the target.
v =√

=√
=√
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 =5.930X107m/s

10. An x-ray tube is operating with an anode potential of 20KV and a current of
40mA. Determine the number of elections hitting the target per second. ( the
charge or an electron is 1.6 x 10-19C) (3mks)
Q=It
=40X10-3AX1s
=4.0x10-2C
n=

=2.5X1017 electrons

11. A potential difference of 50kV is applied across an X-ray tube. Given that the
charge of an electron e = 1.6 x 10-19coulombs and the mass of an electron
M e  9.1  1031 kg.
(i) Calculate the kinetic energy of the electrons. (3mks)
K.E= e V
= 1.6X10-19X50000V
= 8.0X10-15J

(ii) If 12% of the electron energy is converted into X-ray, determine the
minimum wavelength of the emitted X –ray given planks constant
h= 6.63 x 10-34
E= X1.6X10-19J
=9.6X10-16J
Wavelength, λ =

=2.072X10-10m

12. An accelerating potential of 20kv is applied to an X-ray tube.

(i)What is the velocity with which the electron strikes the target?
v =√

=√
=√
=8.386X107m/s

ii) State the energy changes that take place at the target.
Electrical─heat──kinetic─x-rays+heat at the cathode
13. A target was bombarded by electron accelerated by a voltage of 106 V. If all the
K.E of the electrons was converted to X-rays, calculate:-
a)The K.E of the electrons
K.E= e V

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 = 1.6X10-19X1000000V
= 1.6X10-12J

b) The frequency of the photons emitted.

f=
=
=2.413X1021Hz

14. An X-rays tubes gives photons of 5.9 x 10-15 J of energy. Calculate:-

a) The wavelength of the photons.
Wavelength, λ =

=3.371X10-11m

b) The accelerating voltage

V=
=
=36875V or 36.875kV

c) The velocity of the electrons hitting the target.

v =√

=√
=√
=1.139X108m/s

15. If accelerating voltage in an X-ray tube is 40kV, determine the minimum

wavelength of the emitted X-rays. (Electronic charge = -1.6 x 10-19C, planks
constant = 6.6 x 10 -34Js, velocity of electromagnetic waves = 3.0 x 108ms-1)
Wavelength, λ =

=3.108X10-11m

16. X-rays are produced by a tube operating at 1 x104V. Calculate their wavelength.
(Take h= 6.6 x 10 -34 Js, e= 1.6 x 10-19C, c= 3x108ms-1)
Wavelength, λ =

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 =

=1.243X10-10m

17. An X-ray tube operates at 1000 kV between the cathode and the anode.
Calculate the maximum energy of X-ray photons produced.(e= 1.6 x 10-19 C)
E=e V
=1.6X10-19X1000000V
=1.6X10-13J

18. In an certain x-ray tube, the electrons are accelerated by a p.d of 12,000V.
Assuming all the energy goes to produce x-rays, determine the frequency of the
x-rays produced (plank’s constant ,h = 6.62 X 10-34 Js and charge on an
electron, e =1.6 x 10-19c). (3mk)
f=
=
=2.896X1018Hz

19. The energy of x-ray is 1.989 x 10 -14 joules. Given that the speed of light is
3.0 x 108m/s and plank's constant is 6.6 x 10 -34Js, find the wavelength of the x-
rays. (3mk)
Wavelength, λ =

=1.0X10-11m

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