Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Course Number:
RAD 106
Course Title:
Radiographic Equipment I
Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lecture/Lab Hours:
Lab Hours:
Special Fee:

Course Description

Covers fundamental concepts of energy and measurements, atomic structures, molecules, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, transformers, and rectifiers. Department permission required.

Addendum to Course Description

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of radiologic physics and is the first in a series of three courses on this subject. Each course builds upon information from the previous courses in the series. The student will receive instruction on the physical laws which underlie the production of X-rays in a medical environment. Secondary topics which affect X-ray production will also be discussed.
Radiological Physics I is required as part of the Radiologic Technology degree program. Prior to enrolling in this course the student must be accepted in the Radiologic Technology Program, and have completed the required prerequisite courses. This course is also a prerequisite for taking the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination for certification in Radiography. Transferability of credit depends entirely upon the institution to which the student wishes to transfer.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of this course with a C grade or higher, the student should be able to do the following:

  1. 1. Analyze function and operation of electrical circuits.
  2. 2. Examine the interrelationship between matter and energy.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  1. Diagram, label and describe the function of the components in a basic x-ray circuit.
  2. Research the basic principles of matter and energy and synthesize the findings into a written report.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes, issues and concepts

  1. Math Review and Measurements
  2. Scientific Notation
  3. Logarithms
  4. Graphing
  5. Units of Measurement
  6. Problem Solving
  7. Motion and Energy
  8. Newton's laws of motion
  9. Energy
  10. Heat
  11. Atomic Structure
  12. Electron Orbital Shells & Bonding Energies
  13. Molecules
  14. Periodic Table
  15. Radioactivity
  16. Electromagnetic Radiation
  17. Sine Waves
  18. Electromagnetic Spectrum
  19. Conservation of Energy and Matter
  20. Electricity
  21. Electrodynamics
  22. Circuits
  23. DC/AC Current
  24. Magnetism
  25. Magnetic Fields
  26. Electromagnetism
  27. Transformers and Rectification
  28. Principles of Transformers
  29. Principles of Rectification


  1. Calculate problems using fractions, exponents, and scientific notation in basic algebraic equations as well as determine significant digits and convert units within the SI system.
  2. Perform calculations involved in motion become familiar with the terminology used in motion and energy.
  3. Describe the structure and makeup of matter with particular attention to electrons, including orbital arrangement and binding energies.
  4. Illustrate the electromagnetic spectrum, describe the characteristics of X-rays in relation to other radiations in this spectrum. Explain the principle of wave and particle model theories.
  5. Describe the fundamental properties of electricity and its application in everyday life as well as in the production of x-radiation. Perform calculations using Ohm=s law for series and parallel circuits.
  6. Explain and/or demonstrate the properties of magnetic fields. Illustrate the concept of electromagnetism and how it relates to motor operation and the use of transformers. Describe the applications of transformers and rectifiers as used in both the high voltage and filament circuits of an X-ray generator.