Radiation Chapter 7 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What happens if an electron interacts with an inner-shell electron of the target atom?

Characteristic x-rays can be produced. (correct)

No radiation is produced.

Only characteristic y-rays can be produced.

Outer-shell electrons are ionized.

What results when the interaction is sufficiently violent to ionize the target atom?

Characteristic x-rays.

When are characteristic x-rays emitted?

When an outer-shell electron fills an inner-shell void.

How are characteristic x-rays produced?

When the cathode electron ionizes a target atom by removing a K-shell electron. Signup and view all the answers

When are characteristic x-rays produced?

After ionization of a K-shell electron. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when an outer shell electron fills the vacancy in the K shell?

An x-ray is emitted. Signup and view all the answers

What accompanies the transition of an orbital electron from an outer shell to an inner shell?

The emission of an x-ray. Signup and view all the answers

The energy of the x-ray is equal to what?

The difference in the binding energies of the orbital electrons involved. Signup and view all the answers

Only the K-characteristic x-rays of tungsten are useful for imaging.

True Signup and view all the answers

How much energy do the L x-rays have, and how do they penetrate into soft tissue?

Approximately 12 keV; they penetrate only a few centimeters. Signup and view all the answers

Why is this type of x-radiation called characteristic?

Because it is characteristic of the target element. Signup and view all the answers

How does the effective energy of characteristic x-rays change?

It increases with increasing atomic number of the target element. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characteristic Radiation Overview

Characteristic x-rays are produced when an electron interacts with an inner-shell electron of a target atom.
These x-rays result from a violent interaction that ionizes the target atom, fully removing an inner-shell electron.

Mechanism of Production

Characteristic x-rays occur when an outer-shell electron fills a void created by the removal of a K-shell electron.
This process creates a temporary electron void in the K shell, prompting an outer-shell electron to transition and emit an x-ray.
The emitted x-ray has energy equal to the difference in binding energies of the electrons involved.

Key Energy Considerations

Only K-characteristic x-rays of tungsten are valuable for imaging due to their significantly higher binding energy.
L x-rays, approximately 12 keV in energy, have limited penetration capabilities, affecting their utility in imaging, as they only penetrate a few centimeters into soft tissue.

Elemental Characteristics

Characteristic x-rays are termed so because they are specific to the target element, reflecting its unique binding energies.
The effective energy of these x-rays increases with the atomic number of the target element, indicating a direct relationship between atomic structure and x-ray energy output.

Description

Explore the concepts of characteristic radiation with these flashcards focused on Chapter 7. Test your understanding of how characteristic x-rays are produced and their interactions within atoms. Perfect for students studying radiation and atomic physics.