(a) An X-raytube produces a continuous spectrum of radiation with its shortwavelength end at 0.45 Å. What is the maximum energy of aphoton in the radiation?
(b) Fromyour answer to (a), guess what order of accelerating voltage (forelectrons) is required in such a tube?
(a) Wavelengthproduced by an X-ray tube,
Planck’sconstant, h= 6.626 ×10−34Js
Speedof light, c =3 ×108m/s
The maximum energy of a photon is given as:
Therefore, the maximum energy of an X-ray photon is 27.6 keV.
(b) Acceleratingvoltage provides energy to the electrons for producing X-rays. To getan X-ray of 27.6 keV, the incident electrons must possess at least27.6 keV of kinetic electric energy. Hence, an accelerating voltageof the order of 30 keV is required for producing X-rays.