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QPage 393: Q8: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 X-Rays Page 393: Q8 Solution: Can X-ray of one material have shorter wavelength than X-ray of …
⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls
Students often assume a Kα photon is always more energetic (shorter wavelength) than any Lα photon, ignoring the strong Z‑dependence of characteristic X‑ray energies; remember that Moseley’s law uses different screening constants for K and L series, so a high‑Z element’s Lα can indeed be shorter‑wavelength than a low‑Z element’s Kα.
Can X-ray of one material have shorter wavelength than X-ray of another?
Step-by-Step Verified Solution
**Answer:** Yes, it is possible.
**Step-by-Step Explanation:**
The wavelength of characteristic X-rays depends on the energy difference between the shells involved, which in turn depends on the atomic number Z. According to Moseley's law, �_ = a(Z - b). A material with a higher Z has higher energy (shorter wavelength) X-rays. So, the L_alpha X-ray of a heavy element could have a shorter wavelength than the K_alpha X-ray of a lighter element [citation:2].
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