A Geiger Muller counter is used to detect Radioactivity
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Radioactivity--Alpha and Beta Particles...Gamma Rays
An Alpha particle is like the nucleus of the Helium atom. It has two neutrons and two protons bound together. Because of its composition, it has a much greater mass than the Beta particle which has the mass of an electron. Alpha particles have minimal penetrating ability. They are absorbed by a sheet of paper. However, their ability to ionize is extremely high (Ionization means their ability to break molecular bonds and to remove electrons from atomic orbits). The bottom line is, they are not able to penetrate materials but they do a lot of damage close to the point where they originate.
Negative Beta particles are similar in mass and charge to electrons. And although they have greater penetrating ability than Alpha particles their range is still limited. They can be absorbed by a sheet of aluminum foil. Beta particles cause ionization, but not as significant as Alpha particles. Beta particles vary widely in energy. Their ability to ionize depends on their Kinetic Energy as they leave the nucleus. In general, the ionization produced by Beta particles is spread out over a greater distance from the source (point of origin) than Alpha particles, but still in a localized area around the source.
Gamma rays originate in the nucleus as a product of radioactive decay, but they are quite different from Alpha and Beta particles. They are a member of the Electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore, they travel at the speed of light, and consist of photons which have no mass. Gamma rays have the ability to penetrate long distances from the source. It takes at least 7cm of lead to absorb Gamma rays. They are able to ionize material that is at a great distance from the source. However, their ionizing ability is less than that of Alpha and Beta particles.
Negative Beta particles are similar in mass and charge to electrons. And although they have greater penetrating ability than Alpha particles their range is still limited. They can be absorbed by a sheet of aluminum foil. Beta particles cause ionization, but not as significant as Alpha particles. Beta particles vary widely in energy. Their ability to ionize depends on their Kinetic Energy as they leave the nucleus. In general, the ionization produced by Beta particles is spread out over a greater distance from the source (point of origin) than Alpha particles, but still in a localized area around the source.
Gamma rays originate in the nucleus as a product of radioactive decay, but they are quite different from Alpha and Beta particles. They are a member of the Electromagnetic spectrum. Therefore, they travel at the speed of light, and consist of photons which have no mass. Gamma rays have the ability to penetrate long distances from the source. It takes at least 7cm of lead to absorb Gamma rays. They are able to ionize material that is at a great distance from the source. However, their ionizing ability is less than that of Alpha and Beta particles.
Friday, September 19, 2008
RTC 100 and RTC 201--Quiz 1
Quiz 1 is scheduled for Friday September 26th for RTC 100 and RTC 201.
Anyone who hasn't signed up for gmail as yet may miss out on Quiz updates.
Once you have signed up for gmail send an e-mail to radprof08@gmail.com.
Anyone who hasn't signed up for gmail as yet may miss out on Quiz updates.
Once you have signed up for gmail send an e-mail to radprof08@gmail.com.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
How to Learn Power Point
If you have never used Power Point before then the best way to progress is to open up the program on your computer and play around for a while to see how much you can learn on your own.
It is also a great group activity. If the group members get together and ensure that everyone in the group learns to use the program all the group members will earn credit.
For First year students: on Thursday, September 19, I will stay 30 minutes after class to see if you are making progress in learning Power Point and help you along if you haven't made progress.
For Second Year students: I will be available on Friday, September 20 after class for the same purpose.
It is also a great group activity. If the group members get together and ensure that everyone in the group learns to use the program all the group members will earn credit.
For First year students: on Thursday, September 19, I will stay 30 minutes after class to see if you are making progress in learning Power Point and help you along if you haven't made progress.
For Second Year students: I will be available on Friday, September 20 after class for the same purpose.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Welcome to the Fall 2008 Semester
The ECC Radiography program has evolved over the summer months. A few changes have been made, and undoubtedly, as a result of these changes many of you are coming into this new semester with very high levels of anxiety. For those of you who are new to the professional portion of this program the trepidation may be at an all time high.
You can release a few of your stressful thoughts starting right now. Go ahead, exhale. Your education is in good hands. As long as you are willing to do your part by applying yourself, I will do my best to guide you in a direction that will lead you to success.
How do I define success? Delivery of quality patient care is the standard by which a successful radiographer is judged. If you can deliver that consistently you are successful. But what will it take for you to be able to reach that goal?
Knowing your craft, that's how. Being skilled and compassionate, that's how. The skill part I can help you with...the compassion part will have to come from you.
Radiography is a culture; and like any other culture it has its dress code, its conduct, its language, and its traditions. Welcome to the Radiography culture.
You can release a few of your stressful thoughts starting right now. Go ahead, exhale. Your education is in good hands. As long as you are willing to do your part by applying yourself, I will do my best to guide you in a direction that will lead you to success.
How do I define success? Delivery of quality patient care is the standard by which a successful radiographer is judged. If you can deliver that consistently you are successful. But what will it take for you to be able to reach that goal?
Knowing your craft, that's how. Being skilled and compassionate, that's how. The skill part I can help you with...the compassion part will have to come from you.
Radiography is a culture; and like any other culture it has its dress code, its conduct, its language, and its traditions. Welcome to the Radiography culture.
Learn to use Power Point
The power point presentation below was created by a Radiography student. The use of power point is a requirement in all my classes.
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