Question

Which of the following would be a common small focal spot size in an x-ray tube?

a) 0.1 mm
b) 1.0 mm
c) 10.0 mm
d) 100.0 mm

Answer 1

A common small focal spot size in an x-ray tube is 1.0 mm, which offers finer resolution in images but may have limitations due to heat handling capabilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The common small focal spot size in an x-ray tube would be b) 1.0 mm. Focal spot sizes generally range from 0.1mm to 2mm for most diagnostic radiography purposes. A smaller spot size is typically used to provide a finer resolution for the image, which is beneficial for viewing small and detailed structures. However, there's a trade-off in that smaller spots can't handle as much heat as larger spots, which may cause limitations in terms of the x-ray tube's exposure time and intensity.