Why is Bremsstrahlung produced during electron-nucleus encounters?

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    Bremsstrahlung
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of Bremsstrahlung radiation produced during encounters between electrons and heavy target nuclei. Participants explore the mechanics of energy transfer during these interactions, particularly focusing on why the energy lost by the electron results in the emission of x-rays, while the energy gained by the nucleus is considered negligible.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that when an electron decelerates in the vicinity of a heavy nucleus, the energy lost is converted into x-ray radiation.
  • One participant questions why the nucleus does not absorb the energy lost by the electron, referencing a textbook that states the nucleus's mass makes its energy gain negligible.
  • Another participant draws an analogy comparing the energy transfer in this scenario to shooting a bullet into a watermelon, prompting further discussion on energy dissipation.
  • Some participants highlight the significant mass difference between nucleons and electrons, suggesting that this mass difference explains why the nucleus's energy change is minimal during the interaction.
  • There is confusion expressed about the source of the energy for the emitted photon if the nucleus absorbs the electron's energy, even if negligibly.
  • One participant states that the electron's kinetic energy is transformed into radiation as it is decelerated by the nucleus.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the nucleus's energy change is negligible compared to the electron's energy loss, but there is disagreement and confusion regarding the specifics of energy transfer and the origin of the emitted photon energy.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific energy values and mass ratios, but the discussion does not resolve the underlying assumptions about energy transfer mechanisms or the nature of Bremsstrahlung radiation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and researchers interested in radiation physics, particle interactions, and the principles of energy conservation in high-energy physics contexts.

wumple
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It is my understanding that if an electron decelerates during an encounter with a 'heavy target nucleus', the energy lost by the electron is converted to an x-ray.

The book I'm using says that 'the target nucleus is so massive that the energy it acquires during the collision can safely be neglected'. Why is this? Why doesn't the nucleus take the energy that the electron lost?
 
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consider shooting a bullet into a watermelon.
where does the energy go?
 
A proton or neutron is 1836 times more massive than an electron, and a nucleus has many (often hundreds) of nucleons. Look up the mass energy of a proton, and compare it to an incoming electron with kinetic energy of, for instance, some 10's of keV (typical Bremsstrahlung experimental energy). You'll see why the absorbed energy can be neglected.
 
consider shooting a ping pong ball onto a watermelon.
where does the energy go?
 
marcusl said:
A proton or neutron is 1836 times more massive than an electron, and a nucleus has many (often hundreds) of nucleons. Look up the mass energy of a proton, and compare it to an incoming electron with kinetic energy of, for instance, some 10's of keV (typical Bremsstrahlung experimental energy). You'll see why the absorbed energy can be neglected.

I'm still confused - I understand that the nucleus's energy is negligibly affected by the electron, but if the nucleus absorbs the electron's energy (even though it is negligible), then where does the energy for the ejected photon come from?
 
granpa said:
consider shooting a bullet into a watermelon.
where does the energy go?

Into the flying watermelon pieces and the now slower bullet?
 
The electron's kinetic energy is transferred to radiation as it is accelerated (decelerated?) by the nucleus.
 

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