How are X-Rays produced?

X-Rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation similar to gamma radiation except X-Rays are produced when an electron is slowed down from a high velocity and gamma waves are produced from radioactive materials decaying.

In an X-Ray machine, a filament wire heats up and releases electrons through the photoelectric effect. The electron then passes through a vacuum towards an attractive anode plate, usually made of tungsten, and decelerate as they pass through the material.

The electrons are slowed as they move through the plate’s electric field but occasionally they rearrange the electrons in the atom so that when they go down an energy level they release an X-Ray. These are known as breaking radiation and characteristic radiation respectively.

Answered by Lewis S. Physics tutor

20045 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Bismuth-208, which has an atomic mass of 208u and 83 protons in the nucleus, decays through the emission of 2 alpha particles and a beta-positive particle. What isotope results from this decay?


What is the difference between distance and displacement?


A car is travelling at 10m/s when it brakes and decelerates at 2ms^-2 to a stop. How long does the car take to stop?


Why does a small puddle of water evaporate at room temperature, even though the temperature is way below the boiling point of water?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences