Consider a continuous X-ray photon and a characteristic X-ray photon that possess the same wavelength. Which of the following differs between the two photons?

Step-by-step solution

Continuous X-rays are produced due to the deceleration of fast-moving electrons when they strike a heavy target (Bremsstrahlung effect). Characteristic X-rays are produced when an inner-shell electron is knocked out of an atom by a high-energy electron, and an outer-shell electron transitions to fill the vacancy, emitting an X-ray photon. Since both photons have the same wavelength , their frequency = c and energy E = hc are identical. Penetrating power depends on the energy of the photon, so it is also the same fo