Attenuation Lab Questions

Instructions: Use the concepts and data found in the Attenuation Lab handout to answer
the questions below. Upload your answers using the Attenation Lab ‘Quiz’ in Module 2.

1. Calculate the 60 degree physical Wedge Factor for our 6MV beam using Eq(5) and the
average data provided in Table 5. Round result to the third decimal place.
2. Calculate the 60 degree non-physical EDW Wedge Factor for our 15MV beam using
Eq(5) and the average data provided in Table 5. Round result to the third decimal place.
3. Calculate the blocking Tray Factor for our 6MV beam using Eq(5) and the average data
provided in Table 5. Round result to the third decimal place.
4. Given the thickness of the blocking tray is 2.0cm, calculate the linear attenuation
coefficient, µ, of the material for our 15 MV beam. Round result to the third decimal
place.
5. Based on the data collected in Table 5, the attenuation is greater for the blocking tray
than the 60-degree physical wedge.
6. Based on the data collected in Table 5, the transmission is greater for the blocking tray
than the 60-degree physical wedge.
7. Evaluate the wedge factors for both the 60 degree physical and non-physical wedge for
a 6MV beam. Given you want to deliver 200 cGy to a point which is at 10 cm depth for a
patient, which wedge would require more MU?
8. Calculate the MU required to deliver 180 cGy for a single 15MV AP beam at 100
cm SSD for a 15x15 cm2 field size at 5cm depth using the 60 degree physical
wedge factor we measured and calculated in this lab. Use the table below to help
you answer this question. The data provided is for a 15x15 cm 2 field size at a
depth of 5 cm. The 6MV and 15MV beam were calibrated to deliver 1.0 cGy per
MU at 1.5 cm and 3.0 cm depth respectively. Round to the nearest MU.

Beam
6MV 15MV
Energy
Sc 1.005 1.008

Sp 1.013 1.020

PDD 0.810 0.850

TMR 0.880 0.920

9. Using an non-physical wedge will result in the same beam hardening observed when a
physical wedge is used.