Consider a photon of continuous X-ray and a photon of characteristic X-ray of the same wavelength. Which of the following is/are different for the two photons?
Options
Frequency
Energy
Penetrating power
Method of creation
Solution
Method of creation
Let `λ_1` and `λ_2` be the wavelengths of the photons of continuous and characteristic X-rays, respectively.
Given :
`λ_1` = `λ_2` = `λ`
Now, frequency (`v`) is given by
`v = c/λ_1 = c/λ_2`
⇒ `v = c/λ`
Hence, the frequency of both the photons is the same.
Energy of a photon (E) is given by
`E = hv`
As the frequency of both the photons is the same, they will have the same energy.
The photon of the continuous X-ray and the photon of the characteristic X-ray consist of the same penetrating power.
The photon of the characteristic X-ray is created because of the transition of an electron from one shell to another. The photon of the continuous X-ray is created because of the conversion of the kinetic energy of an electron into a photon of electromagnetic radiation.
