DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the DANB Radiation Health and Safety Exam. Study with our comprehensive quizzes featuring multiple-choice questions, detailed explanations, and expert tips to excel in your certification journey!

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Through which component does the electric current flow to heat in the filament circuit?

Tungsten target
Cathode filament
Coolidge tube
Focal spot

The correct answer is: Cathode filament

The electric current flows through the cathode filament, which is crucial in the process of producing X-rays. The cathode filament is made of tungsten, a material known for its high melting point and ability to emit electrons when heated. When electric current passes through this filament, it heats up due to its resistance, and as it reaches very high temperatures, it releases electrons through a process called thermionic emission. These electrons are then directed toward the anode, where they interact with the tungsten target to produce X-rays. The correct answer highlights the specific component responsible for generating the necessary electrons to facilitate X-ray production, directly linking the heating of the filament to the overall function of the X-ray tube. Understanding the role of the cathode filament is essential to grasping the fundamentals of X-ray generation in radiographic practice.