2/8/23, 12:48 PM Distinguish between soft X-rays and hard X-rays.

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CBSE Physics Grade 12 X-Rays

Answer

Distinguish between soft X-rays and hard X-

rays.

Last updated date: 02nd Feb 2023 • Total views: 270k • Views today: 8.62k

Answer Verified

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Hint: An X-ray, also known as X-radiation, is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation

which is penetrating in nature. Most radiations are distinguished by their corresponding
frequencies and wavelength. Thus the difference between hard and soft X-ray must be
based on similar physical quantities.

Complete step by step answer:

When highly energetic electrons are made to strike a metal target, electromagnetic
radiations are emitted from the target. A large part of this radiation has a wavelength of the
order 0.1nm and these radiations are known as X-rays.

X-rays were discovered by a German physicist W C Roentgen in 1895.

A device used to produce X-rays is generally called an X-rays tube. In the process of X-ray
generation a fraction of kinetic energy appears as the energy of photons varies from collision
to collision. In a certain collision, the electron may lose its entire kinetic energy to bring out a
photon or it may not create a photon at all. So the energy of the generated photon can lie
anywhere between 0 to eV.

The maximum energy of a photon can beE = eV .

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2/8/23, 12:48 PM Distinguish between soft X-rays and hard X-rays.

The wavelength of X-ray and the energy of the corresponding photon are related through the
equation:

hc
λ =
E

As E can take any value between 0 to eV, the wavelength, λ can take any value between

hc
infinity and . This explains the origin of continuous X-rays and the cut-off wavelength, i.e.
eV

hc
λmin =
eV

The X-rays of low wavelengths are called hard X-rays and those of larger wavelengths are
called soft X-rays.

Soft X-rays are produced at comparatively lower potential difference than hard X-rays. They
∘

have a wavelength of 4A or above. They also have lower frequencies and hence lesser

energy. Soft X-rays are also categorized with low penetrating power.

On the other hand hard X-rays have wavelengths of the order of 1A. Also are associated

with higher frequency and hence higher energy. As a consequence to all these
characteristics they have high penetrating power.

Note: An easier way for students to memorize the difference between hard and soft X-rays is
to associate the term “hard” with “more”. So hard X-rays are the ones with more energy. And
by establishing that they have more energy, by the equation giving relation between
wavelength and energy its will be clear that these quantities are inversely proportional. So
higher the energy lower will be the wavelength.

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