In an x-ray machine,electrons are accelerated and then fired so that they are incident on a metal target.Which part of the process produces the characteristic x-ray spectra?
A)The incident electron loses energy.
B)The incident electron knocks an electron out of one of the metal atoms.
C)A vacancy in an energy level in a metal atom is filled.
D)The incident electron emits an x-ray.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The characteristic x-ray spectra are produced when a vacancy in an energy level of a metal atom is filled. This occurs when an outer-shell electron is knocked out by an incident electron and an electron in an inner shell moves to fill the vacancy, emitting a characteristic x-ray. The incident electron loses energy in the process, but this is not what produces the characteristic x-ray spectra.

In an X-Ray Machine,electrons Are Accelerated and Then Fired So