An interaction that produces x-rays at the anode as a result of outer shell electrons filling holes in the K-shell is called:

An interaction that produces x-rays at the anode as a result of outer shell electrons filling holes in the K-shell is called:

• A. Characteristic
• B. Photoelectric
• C. Compton
• D. Brems

Answer: (A)

Characteristic radiation occurs when a high-energy electron creates a vacancy in the K-shell of the target atom. An electron from a higher shell then drops into that vacancy, and the energy released as a photon corresponds to the difference between those energy levels. This produces X-rays with discrete energies specific to the element, which is why these lines are observed at the anode in the X-ray tube. In contrast, the photoelectric effect involves absorption of the incident photon and ejection of an electron; Compton scattering is the inelastic scattering of the photon with a recoil electron; Bremsstrahlung results from deceleration of fast electrons and yields a continuous spectrum. The description in the question matches characteristic radiation.

Characteristic radiation occurs when a high-energy electron creates a vacancy in the K-shell of the target atom. An electron from a higher shell then drops into that vacancy, and the energy released as a photon corresponds to the difference between those energy levels. This produces X-rays with discrete energies specific to the element, which is why these lines are observed at the anode in the X-ray tube. In contrast, the photoelectric effect involves absorption of the incident photon and ejection of an electron; Compton scattering is the inelastic scattering of the photon with a recoil electron; Bremsstrahlung results from deceleration of fast electrons and yields a continuous spectrum. The description in the question matches characteristic radiation.