Challenge

Person swallowing barium porridge. On this picture, colours are inverted so that soft tissue (with low electron density) appears light, whereas substances with high electron density give dark colours. Photo: Bernd Brägelmann

Discuss with a fellow student and write down short answers to the questions below.
Remember that elements with many electrons absorb X-rays most efficiently.

You may have use for the periodic table.

Writing task 5

A person about to get an X-ray taken of the stomach and intestines eats barium porridge before the examination. Can you imagine why?

You need to be signed in as a student to write and save answers.

Writing task 6

In an X-ray image, the photoelectric effect in bones and tissue gives good contrast, whereas Compton scattering gives a poorer contrast. Why is this?

You need to be signed in as a student to write and save answers.