What is the approximate range of a 10 MeV electron beam in water?

The range of a 10 MeV electron beam in water is approximately 5 cm. This is determined by the energy of the electrons, as electron beams deposit their energy through ionization processes as they travel through matter. The range can be estimated using the Bragg's rule for electron ranges, which states that the range in water (in centimeters) can be calculated by dividing the energy of the electrons in MeV by 2. This results in a range of about 5 cm for a 10 MeV beam (10 MeV / 2 = 5 cm).

Understanding the range is crucial for clinical applications, as it helps dosimetrists determine how deeply the radiation will penetrate tissue, thereby allowing for the effective targeting of tumors while minimizing the dose to surrounding healthy tissues.