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QPage 393: Q9: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 X-Rays Page 393: Q9 Solution: Can a hydrogen atom emit characteristic X-rays?

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often assume that because hydrogen has a K‑shell (1s) it can emit K‑α characteristic X‑rays, overlooking that a characteristic line requires a vacancy in an inner shell and an electron from a higher shell to fill it; hydrogen has only one electron and no higher‑energy shells, so no characteristic X‑ray can be produced.

Can a hydrogen atom emit characteristic X-rays?

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** No, a hydrogen atom cannot emit characteristic X-rays. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** Characteristic X-rays are produced when electrons transition between inner shells (K, L, M, etc.) of an atom. A hydrogen atom has only one electron and no inner shells. Hence, it cannot produce characteristic X-rays [citation:2].

All Questions in this Chapter

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