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QPage 393: Q6: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 X-Rays Page 393: Q6 Solution: Characteristic X-rays may be used to identify the element from…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students frequently assume the continuous (bremsstrahlung) X‑ray spectrum varies with the target element, but its shape and cutoff wavelength $\lambda_{\min}=\frac{hc}{eV}$ depend only on the accelerating voltage, not on atomic number; only the characteristic line peaks encode elemental information.

Characteristic X-rays may be used to identify the element from which they are being emitted. Can continuous X-rays be used for this purpose?

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** No, continuous X-rays cannot be used for this purpose. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** The continuous X-ray spectrum depends only on the accelerating voltage, not on the target material. The cutoff wavelength is given by __min = hc/eV. Hence, it does not provide information about the element from which it is emitted. Characteristic X-rays, however, depend on the atomic number and can be used for identification [citation:2].

All Questions in this Chapter

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