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Chapter 10: Problem 32

The \(\mathrm{x}\) -ray spectrum of a typical heavy element consists of two parts. What are they? How is each produced?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The two main parts of a heavy element's X-ray spectrum are the characteristic X-rays and the continuous (Bremsstrahlung) X-rays. Characteristic X-rays are produced when electrons from an atom's outer shell fill vacancies in inner shell orbits, resulting in the release of photons with well-defined energies. Bremsstrahlung X-rays result from the interaction of high-energy electrons with the heavy element's nuclei, leading to a continuous and broad energy spectrum without distinct peaks.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the two parts of a heavy element's X-ray spectrum

The two main parts of a typical heavy element's X-ray spectrum are the characteristic X-rays and the continuous (Bremsstrahlung) X-rays.
02

Describe how characteristic X-rays are produced

Characteristic X-rays are produced when electrons from an atom's outer shell fill vacancies in inner shell orbits. These transitions cause the release of photons with well-defined energies resulting in a sharp X-ray spectrum. The energy of these characteristic photons corresponds to the difference in energy levels between the inner and outer shell. For example, when an electron from the L shell moves to the K shell, a K\(\alpha\) X-ray is produced, which is specific to the element and used to determine its identity in X-ray spectroscopy.
03

Describe how Bremsstrahlung X-rays are produced

Bremsstrahlung, or continuous X-rays, result from the interaction of high-energy electrons with the heavy element's nuclei. As these electrons pass by the nuclei, they are deflected and lose energy in the form of X-ray photons. Since the energy loss of the electrons is continuous and depends on the interaction angle, the resulting X-rays form a continuous, broad energy spectrum without distinct peaks. In summary, the two parts of a heavy element's X-ray spectrum, characteristic and continuous (Bremsstrahlung) X-rays, are produced by different processes: electron transitions filling inner shell vacancies and high-energy electron interaction with atomic nuclei, respectively.

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