Recent content by startanew

Thank you so much for your detailed explanations! (2) But can particles with high speed knock electrons out of air molecules easily? "At that point it is a neutral helium (He) atom, and though it may still be moving, has lost its strong interaction with the air." Is it because alpha particles...

1) Why can hitting a heavy metal target with high-speed electrons produce X-rays? 2) Alpha particles have a larger mass and lower speed. Thus, they are more likely to knock electrons out of air molecules. Why? Is it about momentum? I thought particles with high speed can knock electrons out of...