X-ray Production Wavelengths – Rankers Physics
Topic: Modern Physics
Subtopic: Atomic Structure

X-ray Production Wavelengths

Assertion (A): Cut-off wavelength of x-ray is independent of type of target metal
Reason (R): Wavelength of \(K_{alpha}\) x-ray depends upon type of target metal.
 
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Solution:

Concept: X-ray production mechanisms.
Formula: Cut-off wavelength \(\lambda_{\text{min}} = \frac{hc}{eV}\) (depends on voltage). Characteristic X-ray energy \(E = h\nu\) (depends on atomic transitions).
Solution: The cut-off (minimum) wavelength of continuous X-rays depends only on the accelerating voltage, not the target material. So (A) is true. \(K_{\alpha}\) X-rays are characteristic X-rays, whose wavelengths are specific to the target material. So (R) is true. However, (R) explains characteristic X-rays, not the cut-off wavelength; thus, (R) is not a correct explanation for (A).

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