Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

This resource from the Institute of Physics (IOP), describes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the body. The magnetic resonance imaging video, taken from an IOP Schools and Colleges lecture, uses analogies with sound to describe how the resonant frequencies of protons within the body can be used to produce images. The functional magnetic resonance imaging video, shows an MRI scan of the lecturers brain. He describes how the activity in the brain is linked to different functions, such as exercise, and poses a final question to the students. The teachers' notes contain an introduction to magnetic resonance imaging, lesson notes linked to the PowerPoint and a mark scheme for the worksheet. The worksheet contains questions that could be used as a summative test on the topic (10 marks). The presentation has animated slides which describe how a strong electromagnetic field can cause alignment of the hydrogen atoms within the body, and how radio waves can be used to disturb the magnetic field and image the body.