Characteristic X-rays are produced due to

Options

A. transfer of momentum in collistion of electron with target atoms
B. transition of electrons fron higher to lower electronic orbits of an atom
C. heating of the target
D. transfer of energy is cillision of electrons with atoms in the target

Answer

B

Explanation

(b) When atom comes from higher to lower energy states, it radiates energy.
Atom of a particular element has some characteristic energy levels or states. Ordinarily all atoms remains in their lowest energy state. When they receive appropriate energy from outside they leave the lowest energy state and go to some excited state of higher state.
When an atom returns from a higher energy state to a lower energy state it radiates energy. Hence, charactersitc `X-rays` are produced due to transition of electron from higher to lower electron orbits in an atom.