Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsX-rays
The cutoff wavelength of X-rays emitted by a Coolidge tube depends on the
Options
- Aaccelerating voltage
- Btemperature of the filament
- Cseparation between the filament and the target
- Dmaterial of the target
Correct answer
A. accelerating voltage
Step-by-step solution
The cutoff wavelength of X-rays is the minimum wavelength of the continuous X-ray spectrum. It corresponds to the maximum kinetic energy of the striking electrons being completely converted into a single X-ray photon. The maximum energy of an X-ray photon is given by E_ max = eV , where V is the accelerating voltage. Since E_ max = hc _ min , we have hc _ min = eV . _ min = hc eV Thus, the cutoff wavelength depends only on the accelerating voltage applied across the Coolidge tube.