ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Test with our practice questions. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Get ready to ace your exam!

Practice this question and more.

What component in an X-ray tube is energized by electrical current to produce free electrons?

Target
Filament
Focusing Cup
Control Panel

The correct answer is: Filament

The component in an X-ray tube that is energized by electrical current to produce free electrons is the filament. When an electrical current is passed through the filament, it heats up to a very high temperature, causing thermionic emission – the process by which electrons are emitted from the surface of the heated filament. These free electrons are then available to be accelerated towards the target, where they will collide to produce X-rays. The filament plays a crucial role in the operation of the X-ray tube, as it is essential for creating the electron cloud needed for X-ray production. It is typically made of materials such as tungsten, which has a high melting point and can withstand the extreme temperatures generated during operation.