1.

An atom is said to be neutral when:

A.
It is ionized
B.
There are more electrons than protons
C.
The number of positive charges in the nucleus equals the number of negative charges of
the orbital electrons
D.
It has a positive charge
2.
A.
B.
C.
D.

X-rays interact with matter to produce:

Ionization and desiccation
Ionization and excitation
Desiccation and excitation
Ionization and replication

3.
An 8-inch target-film distance is changed to a 16-inch target-film distance (kVp and mA
kept constant). In order to keep the intensity the same, the exposure time should be:
A.
Doubled
B.
Decreased by half
C.
Increased by half
D.
Quadrupled
4.
A.
B.
C.
D.

The transformer used to heat the filament of the x-ray tube is:
The autotransformer
The step-up transformer
The step-down transformer
The rechargeable DC battery circuit

5.
At diagnostic levels, what percent of the electron energy is converted to x-radiation at
the anode?
A.
Less than 1%
B.
2%
C.
10%
D.
About 98%
6.
In a standard non-constant potential machine, about 70% of the radiation in the x-ray
tube is:
A.
Monochromatic
B.
Bremsstrahlung
C.
Characteristic
D.
Asynchronous
7.
A.
B.
C.

The substance that is the most resistant to the passage of x-rays is:
Leaded glass
Plastic
Wood

D.
8.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Rubber
X-rays are produced when:
The anode is heated above 3000 degrees C
The filament becomes positively charged
Electrons strike the cathode
Electrons strike the anode

9.
The x-ray beam of a standard x-ray machine consists of photons of many different
wavelengths, with the shortest wavelength photons determined by:
A.
Milliamperage (mA)
B.
Kilovoltage peak (kVp)
C.
Filtration
D.
Exposure time
10.
A.
B.
C.
D.

The target material (in the anode) for dental x-ray tubes is:
Copper
Tungsten
Lead
Gadolinium

11.
In a standard dental x-ray unit, the quality of x-radiation produced during the exposure is
controlled primarily by:
A.
Exposure time
B.
Kilovoltage peak (kVp)
C.
Milliamperage (mA)
D.
Inherent filtration
****What is the difference between x-ray beam quality and quality?

12.
To reduce the amount of heat given off during x-ray production, the source of x-ray
energy is surrounded by:
A.
Copper
B.
Water
C.
Oil
D.
Lead
E.
Air

13.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

The number of electrons in a dental x-ray tube is determined by the:

Kilovoltage used
Distance between the filament and the target
Step-up transformer
Size of the focusing cup
Low-voltage circuit

14.
The efficiency of x-ray production in an x-ray generating tube (i.e., the percentage of
electron kinetic energy converted to x-rays) is directly related to the:
A.
Z number of the target material
B.
Operational kVp
C.
Melting point of the target material
D.
A and B
E.
All of the above
15.
Which of the following statements about radiation is true?
A.
General radiation is Bremsstrahlung radiation.
B.
Bremsstrahlung radiation is the same as characteristic radiation.
C.
All atoms have the same characteristic radiation.
D.
Characteristic radiation is produced when cathode electrons collide with electrons of the
outermost shell.
16.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

To increase the penetrability of the x-ray rays, their wavelength should be:
Shortened by increasing the kVp
Shortened by decreasing the kVp
Lengthened by increasing the kVp
Shortened by increasing the mA
Lengthened by increasing the mA

17.
A.
B.
C.
D.

The mean penetrability of an x-ray beam is not related to which of the following?
kVp
mA
Wavelength
Frequency

18.
A.
B.
C.
D.

X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation. Ionization is:

The separation of the nucleus into positive and negative ions
Produced by photoelectric absorption only
Produced by the Compton effect and Bremsstrahlung only
Produced by photoelectric absorption and Compton scatter

19.
The interaction in which the entire photon of x-radiation is removed from the beam by
atomic interaction is known as:

23.

A.
B.
C.
D.

The Thompson effect

The photoelectric effect
Compton scatter
Excitation

20.
A.
B.
C.
D.

A recoil electron is produced during which of the following reactions?

The photoelectric effect
The Compton effect
Pair production
Photonuclear disintegration

21.
A.
B.
C.
D.

The predominant mechanism of x-ray interaction with matter in the dental setting is:
Thompson (unmodified scatter)
The photoelectric effect
Compton scatter
Pair production

22.
A.
B.
C.
D.

X-ray filters are usually made of:

Copper
Lead
Aluminum
Stainless steel

What is the purpose of a filter?

24.
A.
B.
C.
D.
25.

Collimators are usually made of:

Copper
Lead
Aluminum
Stainless steel

What is the purpose of a collimator?