Half ( 50 % ) of the X-rays emitted from a Coolidge tube are able to pass through a 0.1 mm thick aluminium foil. If the potential difference between the target and the filament is increased, the thickness of aluminium foil required to allow 50 % of the X-rays to pass through will be

Step-by-step solution

When the potential difference between the target and the filament is increased, the kinetic energy of the striking electrons increases. This results in the emission of X-rays with higher maximum energy and shorter wavelength, as E = eV = hc _ min . Higher energy X-rays have greater penetrating power, meaning their absorption coefficient decreases. The intensity of X-rays after passing through a thickness x is given by I = I₀ e^ - x . For 50 % transmission, I = I₀ 2 , which gives the half-value thickness x = 2 . Sin