Question

The cooling agent for the MRI magnet is

• A. ( \text{Helium} ) \
• B. ( \text{Neon} ) \
• C. ( \text{Argon} ) \
• D. ( \text{Xenon} ) \

Hint:

Superconducting magnets, like those in MRI scanners, rely on extremely low temperatures to function. Liquid helium is chosen as the primary cryogen due to its exceptionally low boiling point, making it ideal for achieving and maintaining the necessary superconducting state.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanners utilize powerful superconducting magnets to generate a strong and uniform magnetic field.
Superconducting magnets require extremely low temperatures to maintain their superconducting state, where electrical resistance is zero.
Liquid helium is used as the primary cryogen (cooling agent) for these magnets.
It has a boiling point of approximately 4.2 Kelvin (−269) F), which is sufficiently low to cool the magnet coils to superconducting temperatures.
Liquid nitrogen is sometimes used as a secondary coolant in older systems to reduce the evaporation rate of helium, but helium is the direct coolant for the superconducting coils.
Neon, Argon, and Xenon are noble gases, but they do not have the sufficiently low boiling points required for superconducting magnet cooling compared to helium.