How are X-rays produced? - Leaving Cert Physics - Question (i) - 2014

X-rays are produced when high-speed electrons collide with a metal target. This process occurs in an X-ray tube, where electrons are emitted from a cathode and accelerated towards an anode. Upon striking the anode, the electrons transfer their energy, which is primarily converted into X-ray radiation.

The generated X-rays can be categorized into two main types:

1. Characteristic X-rays: These occur when the incident electrons dislodge inner-shell electrons from the target atoms. When outer-shell electrons fall into the lower energy levels to fill the vacancies, X-ray photons are emitted.
2. Bremsstrahlung Radiation: This occurs when electrons are decelerated as they pass near the atomic nuclei of the target, resulting in the emission of X-ray photons due to the loss of kinetic energy.

Thus, the interaction of high-speed electrons with a metal target leads to various X-ray emission mechanisms, fundamental to the operation of X-ray imaging.