What is the range in water for 10 MeV electron beams?

The range of 10 MeV electron beams in water is generally around 4 cm. This is due to the interaction of electrons with matter, which results in a specific range that is influenced by the energy of the electrons and the density of the medium (in this case, water).

Electrons lose energy primarily through ionization and radiation loss as they traverse tissue or water, leading to a well-defined depth at which they can deposit their maximum energy before losing the ability to travel further due to scattering processes. At 10 MeV, the average maximum range in water has been established through both experimental measurements and modeling, affirming that 4 cm is the effective penetration depth for this energy level.

Understanding the range of different energy electron beams is essential when planning radiation therapy, as it dictates how deep into the tissue the radiation will penetrate and where the maximum dose of radiation will occur, allowing dosimetrists to target tumors effectively while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.