The purpose of this lab was to demonstrate and observe the effect a large focal spot and a small focal spot will have on the resolution of the image. Chapter 3 of Practical Radiographic Imaging states that resolution is “the ability to distinguish two adjacent details as being separate and distinct from each other” (Carrol, 2007, p. 48). This definition of resolution helps to explain what will be looking for to retrieve the data for this lab. As stated in Chapter 16 of Practical Radiographic Imaging, the focal spot is defined as “the area on the x-ray tube anode which x-rays are emitted from, as seen from the viewpoint of the film” and this area can be determined by “the width of the beam of electrons striking the anode and by the bevel or angle of the surface of the anode where the electrons impact” (Carrol, 2007, p. 239). The goal of this lab is to prove that the focal spot size and the resolution are indirectly proportional to each other. This means that it should be expected that if the focal spot size decreases than the resolution increases and vice versa. To determine the data in this experiment a densitometer was used to test the resolution with the large and small focal spot sizes. …show more content…
Begin the process for Exposure 1, taking a table top exposure, place an 8”×10” 200 speed film Image Receptor (IR) (a new IR will be used to test the large focal spot)
2. Place the 11 line pair Wisconsin Focal Spot Test Tool bar side up and centered in the middle of the IR
3. Collimate to the appropriate size for the focal spot test