Silver Atom X-Ray Spectra: Kα & L X-Rays?

[utkarshakash]

Homework Statement

For a silver atom, energy corresponding to Kα transition is 21.75 KeV. Also minimum energy of a striking electron so as to produce L X-Rays is 3.56 keV. Now, if electron with an energy of 23 keV strike a silver target the characteristic X-rays spectrum will have
a)only kα and L x-rays
b)only L x-rays
c)K and L X-rays
d) only kα x-rays

The Attempt at a Solution

I summed up the two energies and found that it is greater than 23keV. So both can't happen simultaneously. But which X-ray will happen?

 

[UltrafastPED]

Either one ... so if you obtain a spectrum for a series of trials you will see both.

You will also see bremsstrahlung (or braking) radiation; this usually makes up the majority of the events.

 

[utkarshakash]

Either one ... so if you obtain a spectrum for a series of trials you will see both.

You will also see bremsstrahlung (or braking) radiation; this usually makes up the majority of the events.

But which one?

 

[TSny]

In order to produce a K X-ray, you first need to kick an electron out of the K shell. How much energy is required to do that?

 

[utkarshakash]

In order to produce a K X-ray, you first need to kick an electron out of the K shell. How much energy is required to do that?

The energy of the 1st shell.

 

[TSny]

You should be able to deduce a numerical value for the energy to remove an electron from the K shell using the information given.