How much energy is released when a K-characteristic x-ray is emitted from a given element?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a K-characteristic x-ray is emitted from a given element, it is due to the transition of an electron from an outer shell (such as L or M) to the K-shell. The energy released is equal to the difference in binding energy between the two shells, which is the amount of energy required to overcome the electrostatic attraction between the electron and the nucleus. This energy is converted into the energy of the emitted x-ray photon. Therefore, the energy released when a K-characteristic x-ray is emitted is the difference in binding energy between a K-shell electron and an L-shell electron.

How Much Energy Is Released When a K-Characteristic X-Ray Is