kilovolt (redirected from kilovolt potential)

kilovolt (kV)

[-volt]

Etymology: Gk, chilioi, thousand; volt, Count Alessandro Volta, Italian scientist, 1745-1827

measure of electrical potential, 1000 volts.

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kilovolt (kil´vōlt),

n the unit of electrical potential equal to 1000 volts.

kilovolt peak (kvp),

n the crest value of the potential wave in kilovolts in an alternating current cycle. When only half of the wave is used, the value refers to that of the useful half of the wave.

kilovolt potential,

n refers to the intensitiy of the radiographic beam and the resulting image on the film. A higher kilovoltage radiograph increases the film density, whereas a lower kilovoltage radiograph increases contrast.

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kilovolt

one thousand (10³) volts; abbreviated kV.

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kilovolt peak

the maximal amount of voltage that an x-ray machine is using; abbreviated kVp.