ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

The output equivalent to curies produced by an X-ray tube is primarily controlled by?

1. Voltage Rheostat

2. Amperage Rheostat

3. Control Panel Settings

4. Target Material

The correct answer is: Amperage Rheostat

The output equivalent to curies produced by an X-ray tube is primarily influenced by the amperage settings. In X-ray production, the current (measured in milliamperes or mA) directly affects the number of electrons flowing through the tube, which in turn determines the quantity of X-ray photons generated. Higher amperage results in a greater quantity of produced radiation, similar to how a high number of curies would relate to a greater amount of radioactive material. While factors like control panel settings and target material play significant roles in the overall operation and efficiency of an X-ray system, it is the amperage that has a more direct relationship with the output of radiation in terms of quantity. The target material does influence the energy and quality of the X-rays produced, but it does not directly control the amount in curies, which is primarily a measurement related to the output intensity linked to the current flow through the tube. Thus, adjusting the amperage rheostat allows operators to conveniently control the output in relation to production rates of X-rays within the context of radiation safety practices.