Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 8: Problem 28

How are x-rays produced?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Question: Explain the process of x-ray production and its importance in various fields. Answer: X-ray production occurs in an X-ray tube, where high-energy electrons are generated through thermionic emission from a heated filament. These electrons are accelerated towards a metal target by an electric potential difference. Upon collision, X-rays are produced through two main processes: Bremsstrahlung and characteristic X-ray emission. Bremsstrahlung occurs when electrons are deflected by the target's positively charged nuclei, while characteristic emission happens when target atoms' inner-shell electrons are ejected and replaced. X-rays are crucial in various fields such as medicine, research, and industry due to their ability to penetrate materials and reveal hidden details.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to X-rays

X-rays are a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation. They have wavelengths between 10^-9 and 10^-12 meters and hold great importance in various fields such as medicine, research, and industry due to their ability to penetrate materials and reveal details otherwise hidden.
02

Discovery of X-rays

X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1895. He found that when electrical current was passed through a cathode ray tube, it produced a mysterious invisible ray capable of penetrating objects and exposing photographic film. These rays were named X-rays, with "X" signifying their unknown nature.
03

Production of X-rays

X-rays are produced when high-energy electrons collide with a target material, usually metal, such as tungsten or copper. The process takes place in an X-ray tube, a vacuum-sealed glass tube.
04

Generating high-energy electrons

In an X-ray tube, electrons are generated by a heated filament, typically made of tungsten. The filament is kept at a high negative voltage relative to its surroundings, causing it to emit a stream of electrons. This phenomenon is called thermionic emission.
05

Acceleration of electrons

The electrons emitted by the filament are accelerated towards a positively charged metal target by the electric potential difference between the filament and the target. This acceleration causes the electrons to gain kinetic energy.
06

Interaction with the target

When the high-energy electrons collide with the metal target, two main processes lead to the production of X-rays: Bremsstrahlung and characteristic X-ray emission.
07

Bremsstrahlung X-ray production

Bremsstrahlung, or "braking radiation", occurs when high-energy electrons are deflected by the positively charged nuclei of the metal atoms in the target. This sudden change in direction results in the loss of kinetic energy, which is emitted as an X-ray photon.
08

Characteristic X-ray production

Characteristic X-ray emission occurs when the high-energy electrons eject inner-shell electrons from the target atoms. To fill the resulting vacancy, electrons from higher energy levels drop down, releasing the energy difference as an X-ray photon. The energy of these photons is specific to the target material, giving them characteristic wavelengths.
09

Conclusion

In summary, X-rays are produced when high-energy electrons, accelerated by an electric potential difference, collide with a metal target. The resulting interactions between electrons and target atoms produce X-rays through both Bremsstrahlung and characteristic emission. X-rays hold immense significance in various fields due to their ability to penetrate materials and reveal hidden details.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What causes magnetic declination? Is there a place where the magnetic declination is \(180^{\circ}\) (a compass points south)? If so, approximately where?

Alternating current with a frequency of 1 million \(\mathrm{Hz}\) flows ina. wire. What in particular could be detected traveling outward from the wire?

Explain how electromagnetic waves are a natural outcome of the principles of electromagnetism.

Explain what superconducting electromagnets are. What advantages do they have over conventional electromagnets? What disadvantages do they have?

What happens to a ferromagnetic material when it is placed in a magnetic field?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Turning Points in Physics

Read Explanation

Fields in Physics

Read Explanation

Modern Physics

Read Explanation

Thermodynamics

Read Explanation

Waves Physics

Read Explanation

Work Energy and Power

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free