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QPages 394-395: Q6: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 X-Rays Pages 394-395: Q6 Solution: When an electron strikes the target in a Coolidge tube, its…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students frequently assume the electron’s kinetic energy is always fully converted into a single X‑ray photon, overlooking that bremsstrahlung is probabilistic and the electron can lose any fraction of its energy, with the remainder appearing as heat. Remember that only the maximum‑energy photon equals the electron’s kinetic energy; most interactions produce lower‑energy photons plus thermal loss.

When an electron strikes the target in a Coolidge tube, its entire kinetic energy

Multiple Choice Options

  • A is converted into a photon
  • B may be converted into a photon
  • C is converted into heat
  • D may be converted into heat.

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** (b), (d). **Step-by-Step Explanation:** The electron's kinetic energy may be converted into a photon (b) or into heat (d).

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