Question

When an electron strikes the target in a Coolidge tube, its entire kinetic energy

• A. Is converted into a photon.
• B. May be converted in to a photon.
• C. Is converted in to heat.
• D. May be converted in to heat.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

May be converted in to a photon.
May be converted in to heat.

When the electron strikes the target in the Coolidge tube, there are two possibilities.
If the energy of the electron is an integral multiple of the work function of the material of the target, photons are ejected.
Or else, the energy gets converted to heat.