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Physics
Atomic and Condensed Matter
Why are more x-rays made from metal than glass
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[QUOTE="mjc123, post: 6043972, member: 610180"] When an energetic electron hits an atom it can knock out a core electron. Then one of two things can happen: (i) An electron from a higher shell can fall into the vacancy in the lower shell, accompanied by the emission of an X-ray photon. (ii) An electron from a higher shell can fall into the vacancy in the lower shell, while another outer electron is expelled from the atom (Auger electron). The quantum yield of X rays increases with atomic number; light elements give mostly Auger electrons and heavy elements mostly X rays. The crossover is somewhere around zinc (Z = 30). Thus glass, containing mainly Si and O, will give a lower yield of X rays than a heavier metal, such as iron or tungsten. Thus much I know from my acquaintance with SEM. [I]Why[/I] things are that way round, I don't know. [/QUOTE]
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Atomic and Condensed Matter
Why are more x-rays made from metal than glass
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