Topic explanation

Standard explanation

Characteristic X-rays are emitted when electrons in an atom undergo transitions that fill vacancies in inner electron shells.

Key points

• Eγ = hf = ΔE
• Formula / Key Relation: A high-energy incident electron can remove an inner-shell electron from a target atom. This creates
• Discrete atomic transitions produce discrete X-ray energies.
• Characteristic X-rays are emitted when electrons in an atom undergo transitions that fill vacancies in inner electro

Labelled diagram