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You may have had an x-ray at the dentist.

Medical Physics - Medical Applications

In GCSE Physics you explore medical imaging and treatments that use waves and radiation to look inside the body and help diagnose illness.

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Fascinating Fact:

Ultrasound scanners use high frequency sound waves that reflect off tissues; the echoes are processed to form real time images, for example of a developing baby.

In GCSE Physics, you learn how techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound and radioactive tracers help doctors see inside the body and monitor how organs are working.

Key Terms

Ultrasound: Sound waves with a frequency above human hearing, used for medical imaging and other applications.
X-ray: A form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation that can pass through the body to produce images of bones and tissues.
Radioactive tracer: A small amount of radioactive substance used to show how a part of the body is working.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What medical imaging methods do we study in GCSE Physics?

In GCSE Physics you usually study X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound and sometimes gamma-ray imaging. These methods use waves or radiation to create images of bones, organs and other internal structures.

How does ultrasound imaging work in GCSE medical physics?

Ultrasound imaging works by sending high-frequency sound waves into the body. The waves reflect off boundaries between tissues, and a computer uses the echoes to build a moving image on the screen.

What are the main risks and benefits of X-rays in medicine?

X-rays can damage cells because they are ionising radiation, so doses must be kept low. However, they are very useful for detecting broken bones, chest problems and some types of cancer.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which of the following would be used to obtain an image of a person's bone structure?

Ultrasound

X-ray

Gamma ray

Beta radiation

X-rays do not pass through solids as easily as soft tissue

2 .

Which type of radiation is used to sterilise foods and medical equipment?

Alpha

Beta

Gamma

None of the above

The high energy of gamma rays is able to kill off bacteria which could cause illness or reduce the time a product stays fresh

3 .

Which type of lens would be used to correct long-sightedness?

Diverging

Plano-convex

Concave

Convex

The focal point in long-sightedness is behind the retina, using a convex lens in front of the eye's own lens shortens the focal length, bringing the light to a focus exactly on the retina

4 .

Which of the following radiation used in medical physics is ionising?

Ultrasound

X-ray

Both

Neither

Ionising radiation can damage the DNA within cells

5 .

What are possible dangers of using X-rays in medical physics?

Tissue damage

Mutations

Both

Neither

Radiographers need to be protected from the X-rays. Potentially, because they use the X-ray machine several times each day, they could be exposed to harmful amounts of radiation

6 .

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of a CT scanner over an X-ray?

It provides a highly detailed image

It gives a higher dose of radiation

Can distinguish between bone and soft tissue

It gives a 3D image

A CT scan involves taking many images using X-rays so a greater dose of radiation passes through the patient

7 .

What does a CT scanner usually consist of?

An x-ray tube which continually rotates around your body

An x-fluorescent tube which continually rotates around your body

A gamma ray tube which continually rotates around your body

An x-ray tube which is placed above your body

This enables three-dimensional images of the patient to be built up

8 .

Which of the following radiation used in medical physics is non-ionising?

Ultrasound

X-ray

Both

Neither

It can be used to examine a foetus as it will not harm its cells

9 .

Which type of lens would be used to correct short-sightedness?

Convex

Concave

Converging

Plano-concave

In short sight, the lens of the eye bends the light too much so the focal point is in front of the retina. The use of a concave lens moves the focal point so that it is exactly on the retina and therefore the image is in focus

10 .

Radioisotopes are used in medical imaging to view how the body is functioning, but how are radioisotopes selected to be used in this kind of imaging process?

Have a short half-life (hours)

Not emit alpha radiation

Emit gamma radiation

All of the above

When radioisotopes emit their radiation, we can detect the radiation with accurate detectors allowing us to track the path of the substance in the body

Author: Martin Moore