National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test

Question: 1 / 400

If the cone on the x-ray machine is increased in length, what happens to the radiation absorbed dose?

It increases

It decreases

Increasing the length of the cone on an x-ray machine primarily serves to reduce the divergence of the x-ray beam. As the beam travels a longer distance, the intensity of the radiation decreases due to the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.

As a result, with the longer cone length, the radiation that reaches the film or detector becomes less concentrated, leading to a decrease in the amount of radiation absorbed by the tissues. This effect minimizes patient exposure and can enhance image quality by reducing scatter radiation. Understanding these principles is crucial for optimizing x-ray techniques and ensuring patient safety in dental radiography.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

It remains the same

It fluctuates

Next Question

Report this question

Download National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) Dental Hygienist Practice Test PDF Study Guide
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy