Uses Of X-Rays And Gamma Rays Georgina Randell

Similarities and difference and how x- rays images are created  X-rays and gamma rays are used in medicine. They are electromagnetic waves and part of the electromagnetic spectrum.  Are ionising  Have similar wavelengths  However, they are produced in different ways.  Materials, including skin and bone, can absorb ionising radiation such as x- rays. The amount of absorption depends upon the thickness and density of the material.

How are medical radioisotopes created?  Materials do not become radioactive if they absorb electromagnetic radiation such as x-rays and gamma rays. However, they can become radioactive if they absorb particles such as neutrons. This is put to good use in manufacturing medical radioisotopes. Materials are put into a nuclear reactor where they are irradiated, forming the desired radioisotope.

Uses of radiation in medicine TracersTreatment of cancerSterilising equipment Gamma rays are high energy electromagnetic waves which are only stopped by thick lead. This means they can easily pass through medical equipment, such as syringes. waves which are only stopped by thick lead. This means they can easily pass through medical equipment, such as syringes. Radioactive tracers are used to investigate a patient's body without the need for surgery. Gamma emitters and sometimes beta emitters are used. This is because gamma rays and beta particles can pass through skin, whereas alpha particles cannot. Nuclear radiation can damage cells. To avoid possible harm to the patient, it is important that medical tracers do not stay active in the body for long periods. gery. Gamma emitters and sometimes beta emitters are used. This is because gamma rays and beta particles can pass through skin, whereas alpha particles cannot. Gamma rays damage cells whether they are normal or cancerous, so gamma rays must be focused on the tumour. One way of doing this is to use a wide beam of gamma rays, but to rotate the beam around the patient, keeping the tumour at the centre. This concentrates the gamma rays on the cells that need to be killed. cells whether they are normal or cancerous, so gamma rays must be focused on the tumour. One way of doing this is to use a wide beam of gamma rays, but to rotate the beam around the patient, keeping the tumour at the centre. This concentrates the gamma rays on the cells that need to be killed.

TracersTreatment of cancerSterilising equipment To avoid possible harm to the patient, it is important that medical tracers do not stay active in the body for long periods. The radiographer puts a detector around the body to detect any gamma rays or beta particles that pass out of the patient's body.