Differentiated beween charcterstic and continous x ray specta
Answers
Continuous X - Rays:
From Maxwell’s EM Theory, we know that, any accelerated charged particle, radiates EM radiations. Now, any fast moving electron suddenly brought to rest on collision, will also be ( negatively,) accelerated. So, radiations ( X - Ray ) are emitted. These X - Rays are called “bremsstrahlung” or continuous X -Rays. These X - Rays are however, different in their wavelengths, because the fast moving electrons were all at different speeds, before coming to rest.
Characteristic X - Rays:
Now, if we look at the X - Ray spectrum, it is typically, a broad continuous band, starting from threshold wavelength. However, in between, we see a series of sharp lines. These sharp lines correspond to the Characteristic X - Rays.
We saw in the case of the Continuous X Rays, that as the bombarding ( fast moving ) electrons come to a brake, due to the acceleration, there is an emission of EM Radiation ( continuous X Ray ).
now, if we look at what happens to the metal target due to the bombarding electrons, we see that the energy of the fast moving electrons, after coming to a halt, is transferred to the atoms of the target. The electrons are removed. Sometimes, the energy is even sufficient to remove the electrons from the inner shells.
Now, if an electron from an inner shell is removed, there is a vacancy that is created. To fill this vacancy, an electron from a higher shells, transits to this shell. The energy released in moving from higher to lower energy level, is in the form of X-Ray photons.this is Characteristic X - Rays.
In continuous X ray specta when electrons are moving in electro magnetic radiations, then suddenly they collide and come to rest then the radiations which releases are known as continuous X ray specta.
In characteristic X ray, when collision takes place then the energy after collision was transferred to the atom which targeted. This energy remove electron from atom and to complete the octet electrons from higher shell join this shell so the energy releases in the form of characteristics X ray.