Chapter 10: Problem 34

The \(x\) -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 the x-ray spectrum of a heavy element are the characteristic x-rays and the bremsstrahlung x-rays. Characteristic x-rays are produced through electron transitions, where an electron from a higher energy level falls into a vacancy in a lower energy level, releasing an x-ray photon. Bremsstrahlung x-rays are produced when high-energy electrons are rapidly decelerated or deflected by the strong electric field of the nucleus, resulting in the emission of x-ray photons covering a continuous energy spectrum.

Step by step solution

(Step 1: Identify the two parts of the x-ray spectrum)

For a typical heavy element, the x-ray spectrum consists of two main parts: 1. The characteristic x-rays, and 2. The bremsstrahlung x-rays (or continuous x-rays).

(Step 2: Explain the production of characteristic x-rays)

Characteristic x-rays are produced when an electron from a higher energy level (usually in an outer shell) falls into a vacancy in a lower energy level (usually an inner shell) within the atom. This process is called an electron transition. When this happens, the energy difference between the two energy levels is released in the form of an x-ray photon, creating the characteristic x-ray. The energy of these x-rays is unique to the specific element and its energy levels, so they can be used to identify the element.

(Step 3: Explain the production of bremsstrahlung x-rays)

Bremsstrahlung x-rays, also known as continuous x-rays, are produced when high-energy electrons are rapidly decelerated or deflected by the strong electric field of the nucleus of the heavy element's atoms. As these electrons lose energy, they emit x-ray photons. The energy of these x-rays can cover a continuous spectrum, ranging from very low to very high, depending on the energy of the electrons and the strength of the electric field. In summary, the x-ray spectrum of a typical heavy element consists of characteristic x-rays produced by electron transitions and bremsstrahlung x-rays originating from the deceleration of high-energy electrons by the electric field of the nucleus.

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

Short Answer

Step by step solution

(Step 1: Identify the two parts of the x-ray spectrum)

(Step 2: Explain the production of characteristic x-rays)

(Step 3: Explain the production of bremsstrahlung x-rays)

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