Production of X-rays (1)

 X-rays are produced when rapidly moving

electrons that have been accelerated
through a potential difference of order 1
kV to 1 MV strikes a metal target.
Evacuated
glass tube

Target

Filament
Production of X-rays (2)

 Electrons from a hot element are

accelerated onto a target anode.
 When the electrons are suddenly
decelerated on impact, some of the
kinetic energy is converted into EM
energy, as X-rays.
 Less than 1 % of the energy supplied is
converted into X-radiation during this
process. The rest is converted into the
internal energy of the target.
 Properties of X-rays
 X-rays travel in straight lines.
 X-rays cannot be deflected by electric
field or magnetic field.
 X-rays have a high penetrating power.
 Photographic film is blackened by X-rays.
 Fluorescent materials glow when X-rays
are directed at them.
 Photoelectric emission can be produced
by X-rays.
 Ionization of a gas results when an X-ray
beam is passed through it.
 X-ray Spectra (1)
 Using crystal as a wavelength selector, the
intensity of different wavelengths of X-rays can
be measured.
 X-ray Spectra (2)

 The graph shows the following features.

 A continuous background of X-radiation in
which the intensity varies smoothly with
wavelength. The background intensity reaches
a maximum value as the wavelength increases,
then the intensity falls at greater wavelengths.
 Minimum wavelength which depends on the
tube voltage. The higher the voltage the
smaller the value of the minimum wavelength.
 Sharp peaks of intensity occur at wavelengths
unaffected by change of tube voltage.
 Minimum wavelength in the X-ray
Spectra
 When an electron hits the target its entire
kinetic energy is converted into a photon.
 The work done on each electron when it is
accelerated onto the anode is eV.
 Hence hf = eV and the maximum frequency
eV
f max 
h
Therefore,
hc
min 
eV
 Characteristic X-ray Spectra

 Different target materials give different

wavelengths for the peaks in the X-ray
spectra.
 The peaks are due to electrons knock out
inner-shell electrons from target atoms.
 When these inner-shell vacancies are
refilled by free electrons, X-ray photons
are emitted.
 The peaks for any target element define
its characteristic X-ray spectrum.
 Uses of X-rays

 In medicine
To diagnose illness and for
treatment.
 In industry
To locate cracks in
metals.
 X-ray crystallography
To explore the structure
of materials.