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X-ray imaging: AQA A‑Level Physics questions

Every AQA A-Level Physics exam question on 3.10.5 X-ray imaging, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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2,714 questions

  1. Q04.1

    June 2025 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    2 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 04.1: X-rays originate from a region on the rotating anode known as the focal spot. Explain: • one advantage of using a small focal spot • why the focal spot should n

  2. Q04.2

    June 2025 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    3 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 04.2: State and explain three methods used to limit exposure of the patient’s healthy cells to X-rays during a diagnostic procedure. [3 marks] 1 2 3

  3. Q04.3

    June 2025 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    3 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 04.3: Figure 6 shows a scale diagram of a cross-section through a human bone called a femur. Figure 6 A dashed line has been drawn from point A to point B through the

  4. Q05.1

    June 2023 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    6 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 05.1: Figure 6 shows an X-ray image of a chest on photographic film. Figure 7 shows a diagram of a horizontal cross-section of the chest along the dashed line in Figu

  5. Q05.2

    June 2023 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    2 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 05.2: The stomach is not clearly visible in Figure 6. Explain the method used to improve the image of the stomach on X-ray photographic film. [2 marks]

  6. Q02.1

    June 2022 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    4 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 02.1: An X-ray image is to be made of a broken bone. The image can be formed on • photographic film • a flat panel (FTP) detector or • an intensifying screen using fl

  7. Q02.2

    June 2022 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    5 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 02.2: Calculate an estimate for the X-ray energy that is absorbed by the bone. [5 marks] energy absorbed = J

  8. Q02.3

    June 2022 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    2 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 02.3: State two reasons why the estimate of energy absorption in Question 02.2 may be greater than the actual value. [2 marks] 1 2

  9. Q04

    June 2022 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    6 marks3.10.4 Non-ionising imaging3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 04: A patient has calcium kidney stones. Three types of scan are available to investigate the condition: • a magnetic resonance (MR) scan • a CT scan • an ultrasoun

  10. Q02

    November 2021 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    4 marks3.10.4 Non-ionising imaging3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 02: Figure 2 shows scanned images of three different human heads. Each image used one of the following scanning techniques: • magnetic resonance (MR) • CT • ultraso

  11. Q04.1

    November 2021 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    2 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 04.1: To produce a sharp image of a bone, the partial shadow in region PQ must be no more than 0.10 mm wide. Calculate the maximum distance d between a bone and the p

  12. Q04.2

    November 2021 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    2 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 04.2: Discuss whether an X-ray image of a chest or an X-ray image of a hand is likely to be sharper when exposed to the same X-ray source. [2 marks]

  13. Q03.1

    November 2020 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    4 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 03.1: Deduce whether photons of energy 100 keV or 500 keV are better for treating a brain tumour at a depth of 11 cm. [4 marks]

  14. Q03.2

    November 2020 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    2 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 03.2: Metal filters are used in X-ray machines to limit the damage to healthy tissues. Table 2 gives data for possible filter materials. Table 2 Energy / keV Linear a

  15. Q03.3

    November 2020 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    2 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 03.3: State and explain one other method used to limit exposure of healthy cells during X-ray radiotherapy. [2 marks] Method Explanation

  16. Q03.1

    June 2019 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    4 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 03.1: In an X-ray tube, electrons collide with a tungsten target. Explain how the continuous spectrum and the characteristic spectra are produced by these electron co

  17. Q03.2

    June 2019 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    2 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 03.2: The dashed line on Figure 4 shows the X-ray spectrum for the initial anode pd. Sketch on Figure 4 the X-ray spectrum produced when the anode pd is increased. [2

  18. Q03.3

    June 2019 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    1 mark3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 03.3: In the medical X-ray machine, the X-rays produced with the initial anode pd are now passed through an aluminium filter. The dashed line on Figure 5 shows the X-

  19. Q03

    June 2018 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    6 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 03: In the past, doctors could only use a simple X-ray image to assess head injuries. A CT scan is now a preferred technique. Discuss why the CT scan has replaced t

  20. Q05.1

    June 2018 · Paper 3 Medical physics

    3 marks3.10.5 X-ray imaging
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 3 Medical physics, question 05.1: High-energy X-rays are used in the treatment of a cancer tumour inside a patient’s body. The patient is given a series of scans before the treatment is started.
All 23 questions on X-ray imaging, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q04.1 (2 marks): X-rays originate from a region on the rotating anode known as the focal spot. Explain: • one advantage of using a small focal spot • why the focal spot should n
  2. June 2025, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q04.2 (3 marks): State and explain three methods used to limit exposure of the patient’s healthy cells to X-rays during a diagnostic procedure. [3 marks] 1 2 3
  3. June 2025, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q04.3 (3 marks): Figure 6 shows a scale diagram of a cross-section through a human bone called a femur. Figure 6 A dashed line has been drawn from point A to point B through the
  4. June 2023, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q05.1 (6 marks): Figure 6 shows an X-ray image of a chest on photographic film. Figure 7 shows a diagram of a horizontal cross-section of the chest along the dashed line in Figu
  5. June 2023, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q05.2 (2 marks): The stomach is not clearly visible in Figure 6. Explain the method used to improve the image of the stomach on X-ray photographic film. [2 marks]
  6. June 2022, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q02.1 (4 marks): An X-ray image is to be made of a broken bone. The image can be formed on • photographic film • a flat panel (FTP) detector or • an intensifying screen using fl
  7. June 2022, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q02.2 (5 marks): Calculate an estimate for the X-ray energy that is absorbed by the bone. [5 marks] energy absorbed = J
  8. June 2022, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q02.3 (2 marks): State two reasons why the estimate of energy absorption in Question 02.2 may be greater than the actual value. [2 marks] 1 2
  9. June 2022, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q04 (6 marks): A patient has calcium kidney stones. Three types of scan are available to investigate the condition: • a magnetic resonance (MR) scan • a CT scan • an ultrasoun
  10. November 2021, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q02 (4 marks): Figure 2 shows scanned images of three different human heads. Each image used one of the following scanning techniques: • magnetic resonance (MR) • CT • ultraso
  11. November 2021, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q04.1 (2 marks): To produce a sharp image of a bone, the partial shadow in region PQ must be no more than 0.10 mm wide. Calculate the maximum distance d between a bone and the p
  12. November 2021, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q04.2 (2 marks): Discuss whether an X-ray image of a chest or an X-ray image of a hand is likely to be sharper when exposed to the same X-ray source. [2 marks]
  13. November 2020, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q03.1 (4 marks): Deduce whether photons of energy 100 keV or 500 keV are better for treating a brain tumour at a depth of 11 cm. [4 marks]
  14. November 2020, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q03.2 (2 marks): Metal filters are used in X-ray machines to limit the damage to healthy tissues. Table 2 gives data for possible filter materials. Table 2 Energy / keV Linear a
  15. November 2020, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q03.3 (2 marks): State and explain one other method used to limit exposure of healthy cells during X-ray radiotherapy. [2 marks] Method Explanation
  16. June 2019, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q03.1 (4 marks): In an X-ray tube, electrons collide with a tungsten target. Explain how the continuous spectrum and the characteristic spectra are produced by these electron co
  17. June 2019, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q03.2 (2 marks): The dashed line on Figure 4 shows the X-ray spectrum for the initial anode pd. Sketch on Figure 4 the X-ray spectrum produced when the anode pd is increased. [2
  18. June 2019, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q03.3 (1 mark): In the medical X-ray machine, the X-rays produced with the initial anode pd are now passed through an aluminium filter. The dashed line on Figure 5 shows the X-
  19. June 2018, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q03 (6 marks): In the past, doctors could only use a simple X-ray image to assess head injuries. A CT scan is now a preferred technique. Discuss why the CT scan has replaced t
  20. June 2018, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q05.1 (3 marks): High-energy X-rays are used in the treatment of a cancer tumour inside a patient’s body. The patient is given a series of scans before the treatment is started.
  21. June 2018, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q05.2 (1 mark): Lead is commonly used as shielding when using X-rays due to its small half-value thickness. Which statement gives the correct meaning of half-value thickness? T
  22. June 2018, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q05.3 (4 marks): The half-value thickness of lead for 500 keV X-rays is 4.2 × 10−3 m Calculate the mass attenuation coefficient of lead for 500 keV X-rays. State an appropriate
  23. June 2017, Paper 3 Medical physics, Q02.1 (6 marks): A patient with a suspected broken arm is going to have an X-ray image taken. Explain the risk to the patient of exposure to X-rays. Go on to discuss three ways

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