In MRI, which energy form is used to excite nuclei after alignment by the magnetic field?

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Multiple Choice

In MRI, which energy form is used to excite nuclei after alignment by the magnetic field?

Explanation:
Radiofrequency energy is used to excite nuclei in MRI after they align with the external magnetic field. The strong field aligns the protons, creating a small energy gap between spin states that corresponds to a frequency in the radiofrequency range (the Larmor frequency). An RF pulse at that frequency provides just enough energy to tip the net magnetization away from the field and into the transverse plane, producing a detectable signal as they relax. Visible light, gamma rays, and sound waves don’t cause the required nuclear spin transitions, so they aren’t used to generate the MRI signal.

Radiofrequency energy is used to excite nuclei in MRI after they align with the external magnetic field. The strong field aligns the protons, creating a small energy gap between spin states that corresponds to a frequency in the radiofrequency range (the Larmor frequency). An RF pulse at that frequency provides just enough energy to tip the net magnetization away from the field and into the transverse plane, producing a detectable signal as they relax. Visible light, gamma rays, and sound waves don’t cause the required nuclear spin transitions, so they aren’t used to generate the MRI signal.

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