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Electromagnetic Radiation
School of Medicine,
Department of Radiology & Imaging
Objectives
At the end of this lecture, you will be able to:
a) Define electromagnetic (EM) radiation.
b) Know the different types of EM radiation/spectra.
c) Describe the wave and particle characteristics
(wave-particle duality) of EM radiation.
d) Calculate the energy, frequency, and wavelength of
EM radiation.
e) Identify the properties associated with radiation and
the ability to cause ionization.
E mc2
where E is energy in Joules (J), m is the mass in kilograms (kg), and c is
the velocity of light in a vacuum, c = 3 × 108 m/s.
The Einstein equation above
States that everything around us can be classified as either matter
or energy,
One can be converted to the other!
E K.E P.E
Einstein equation is also mathematical form of energy conservation.
Radiation
Is a name given to energy that is capable of travelling thro’ space
and matter, and
This radiation is always around us as either natural or man made!
Radiation sources can be
A collections of matter
o Store energy within them e.g. sun or radioactive material
A device that convert other forms of energy into radiation
o e.g. a bulb converts electrical energy into light, x-ray tube convert
electricity to x-rays etc.
E h
Where E is energy (J), h is plank’s constant (h = 6.62 x 10-34 Js) and
is frequency (Hz).
c
Where is wavelength (m), which is visualized by the color of
light (rainbow colors have different wavelengths).
Hence, photon energy can also be given as:
hc
E
c
n
o Where n is called index of refraction of the substance or medium.
Electric field
Magnetic field
1.24
E (keV)
(nm )
Non-ionizing radiation