The wavelengths of the K_ and K_ X-rays of molybdenum are 0.71 and 0.63 , respectively. Determine the wavelength of the L_ X-ray of molybdenum.

Step-by-step solution

The energy of an X-ray photon is given by E = hc . The K_ transition corresponds to an electron jumping from the L shell to the K shell, so E_ K_ = E_L - E_K . The K_ transition corresponds to an electron jumping from the M shell to the K shell, so E_ K_ = E_M - E_K . The L_ transition corresponds to an electron jumping from the M shell to the L shell, so E_ L_ = E_M - E_L . From these energy differences, we can write: E_ L_ = E_ K_ - E_ K_ Substituting E = hc : hc _ L_ = hc _ K_ - hc _ K_ 1 _ L_ = 1 _ K_ - 1 _ K_