What are all the different types of noises that an MRI makes when you’re getting a scan? And why is it different noises every few minutes?
In: Technology
Not exactly ELI5 but some of the previous explanations are scientifically inaccurate- MRIs are permanent superconducting magnets, new ones are in the Tesla range of field strength. The magnetic field lines all of the protons up in your body by making them temporary magnets. Imagine all of the protons in your water and proteins oriented north-south. Then radio waves are pulsed causing the protons to flip and when they re-orient, photons (think little atomic screams) are released. The radio pulsing is at different frequencies and timing to resolve different structures. The photons are picked up by a detector, run through an amplifier and signal processor to deliver an image.
Fun fact MRIs are actually big-ass NMRs which were originally developed to study natural gas.
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