OCR AAQ in Applied Science: P3: Medical Physics
Course: OCR Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification Cambridge Advanced Nationals in Applied Science.
Topic Area 3: Medical Physics
* 3.1 - X-rays and ultrasound
* 3.2 -3.2 Radioactivity
These PowerPoints is a whole lessons included with student activities and animated answers.
* Electron transitions
* Ground state, excited state, and ionised state
* The similarities and differences between the types of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, including in terms of production, penetration, uses, frequency and wavelength
* Know the definition of a quantum and a photon
* Use of the equations:
* Energy of a photon (J) = Planck constant (J s) × frequency (Hz)
* Energy of a photon (J) = Planck constant (J s) × speed of light in a vacuum (ms–1) / wavelength (m)
* Basic structure of an X-ray tube including: heater (cathode), anode, target metal and high voltage supply
* How X-rays are produced in an X-ray tube, including thermionic emission and energy transfers
* How tube current and voltage affects the X-ray beam
* Attenuation of X-rays by absorption and scattering
* Use of the attenuation of X-rays equation to calculate intensity
* Know mass attenuation coefficient
* Use of the mass attenuation coefficient equation.
* Examples of longitudinal and transverse waves including sound waves and electromagnetic waves
* Graphical representations of longitudinal and transverse waves
* Describe wave motion in terms of displacement, amplitude, wavelength, time period, frequency and wave speed.
* Describe the relationship between intensity and amplitude
* Use of the equations:
* Frequency
* Wave speed
* Intensity
* Know definition of ultrasound, including in medical contexts
* Reflection, and transmission of ultrasound
* Know that a transducer can both transmit pulses and receive reflected pulses
* Attenuation of ultrasound by absorption and scattering
* Impedance matching and coupling mediums
* How to interpret and use A-scans to solve problems
* Use of the equations:
* Density equation
* Acoustic impedance equation
* Intensity reflection coefficient equation
* The spontaneous and random nature of nuclear radioactive decay
* Know types of decay
* Properties of nuclear radiation (alpha, beta and gamma)
* Nuclear decay equations
* Know how to graphically determine the physical half-life of an isotope
* Biological, physical and effective half-lives
* Use of the activity equation
* Use of the equations to determine N/N0/A/A0
* Use of the effective half-life equation
* Irradiation and contamination
* Physiological effects of radiation
* Mechanism of direct and indirect ionisation of biological molecules
* Absorbed and effective dose
* Ionisation and half-equations
* Know the definition of radiopharmaceuticals
* Use of radionuclides in sterilisation, cancer treatments and medical tracers
* How to select a radionuclide for an appropriate use
