X-ray production, continous and line spectra.

[binbagsss]

Which occurence requires a higher energy?

I don't know much about these but for continous, I think the x-ray is able to get close to the nucleus without interacting with the electrons, is then deflected or stopped by the nucleus and the emitted photon can have a range of energies - 0 to Kemax of the electron. Therefore I would guess that this process requires higher energies ...

However with line spectra, due to emitted x-rays characteristic to the transition of electrons from an outer electron shell to an inner shell of specific energy levels, these x-rays have a greater intensity on the x-ray spectra, producing peaks. Indicating a higher intensity... but is this higher intensity due to the fact that this is the more likely occurence as a pose to because the process requires more energy?

Thanks a lot =]

 

[Dadface]

Good question but remember that there are two mechanisms at work:
1.The one responsible for the Bremmmstrahlung(the continuous spectrum)
2.The one responsible for the characteristic line spectra
At each of the lines energy is being emitted due to both mechanisms so the overall intensity will be greater

 

[binbagsss]

Good question but remember that there are two mechanisms at work:
1.The one responsible for the Bremmmstrahlung(the continuous spectrum)
2.The one responsible for the characteristic line spectra
At each of the lines energy is being emitted due to both mechanisms so the overall intensity will be greater

haha, off course :D
Thanks a lot =]

But which is the most likely occurence anyway and requires the most energy? :)