Technical Radiation Protection

During our Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) training courses we reassure delegates that there is very little in the way of complicated maths or physics – its generally not important when working safely with ionising radiation (understanding the concepts are important). However, there is a good dose of physics and mathematics behind these concepts and principles which is what you will find in this area of the site. Mathematical derivation, shielding calculations, and other health physics concepts are featured.

Calculate an estimate of x-ray dose rate from an x-ray tube given kV and mA

Published: Mar 24, 2024

Source: Dr Chris Robbins, Grallator/ Ionactive Radiation Protection Resource
- X-ray
- X-ray dose rate
- X-ray generator
- mA
- kV
- Calculate x-ray tube output
- Formula for x-ray tube output
- Calculate x-ray tube dose rate
- Anode
- Cathode
- Bremsstrahlung x-rays
- Characteristic X-rays
- Tungsten target
- Inverse square law
- Energy Absorption
- Mass Energy Absorption Coefficient
- Gray (Gy)
- NDT X-ray tube
- Medical X-ray tube
How do you calculate an estimate of dose rate from an X-ray tube give kV and mA? In this resource we consider a 'ballpark' estimate of radiation dose rate using some physics principles, including an estimate of % bremsstrahlung from an anode target, combined with a calculation of power density and consideration of average energy absorption rate.
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When \( 1/d^2 \) breaks down - part 2: area source

Published: Mar 22, 2024

Source: Dr Chris Robbins, Grallator
- 1/d2 for an area source
- Inverse square law
- radiation
- radioactive area source
- Radiation protection mathematics
- Maths for radiation safety
When \( 1/d^2 \) breaks down - part 2: area source. Using some mathematics to explore how the inverse square law works with a radiation area source.
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When \(1/d^2\) breaks down - part 1: line source

Published: Mar 22, 2024

Source: Dr Chris Robbins, Grallator
- 1/d2 for a line source
- Inverse square law
- radiation
- radioactive line source
- Radiation protection mathematics
- Maths for radiation safety
When \( 1/d^2 \) breaks down - part 1: line source. Using some mathematics to explore how the inverse square law works with a radiation line source.
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The accumulated radiation dose when moving up to a source

Published: Nov 27, 2023

Source: Dr Chris Robbins, Grallator
- Dr Chris Robbins
- Grallator
- Accumulated dose
- Maths in radiation protection
- Radioactive source
- accumulated radiation exposure moving towards a source
- Inverse square law
- Point source
Consider the situation where you move up to a radioactive source, perform some operations for a period of time, and then move away. What total dose will be received?
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Physical, biological and effective half-life

Published: Sep 29, 2021

Source: Dr Chris Robbins, Grallator
- Physical half-half
- Biological Half-Life
- Effective Half-Life
- Half-Life
- Radiation Protection
- Health Physics
- Maths
- Mathematics
- Radioactive Decay
- Radioactivity
- Radiation physics
This technical mathematics article is written by Dr Chris Robbins of Grallator Limited. This article looks at Physical, biological and effective half-life and the mathematics behind them.
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There are children playing in the street who could solve some of my top problems in physics, because they have modes of sensory perception that I lost long ago.

– J. Robert Oppenheimer -

Technical Radiation Protection

Calculate an estimate of x-ray dose rate from an x-ray tube given kV and mA

When \( 1/d^2 \) breaks down - part 2: area source

When \(1/d^2\) breaks down - part 1: line source

The accumulated radiation dose when moving up to a source

Physical, biological and effective half-life