Question

Characteristic X-rays are produced due to

• A. transfer of momentum in collision of electrons with target atoms
• B. transition of electrons from higher to lower electronic orbits of an atom
• C. heating of the target
• D. transfer of energy in collision of electrons with atoms in the target

Answer 1

The correct option is B transition of electrons from higher to lower electronic orbits of an atom

B

Characteristics X-ray are produced when an element is bombarded with high energy particles which can be photons, electrons or ions. When the incident particle stikes a bound electron in an atom ,the bound electron is ejected from the inner shell of the atom. After the electron has been ejected, the atom is left with vacant energy level, also known as core hole. Outer shell electrons then fall into the innershell, emitting quantized photons with an energy equivalent to the energy difference between the higher and lower states. Each element has a unique set of energy levels, and thus the transmission form the higher to lower energy level so produce X-rays with frequencies that are characteristics to each element.