Characteristic X-rays may be used to identify the element from which they are being emitted. Can continuous X-rays be used for this purpose?

The production process of characteristic x-rays and continuous x-rays are quite different. Characteristic x-rays are created when electrons knock off inner shell electrons of the target atom. The vacancy created by this is later filled by transition of electrons from higher energy levels giving off a photon of energy equal to the energy difference between the two levels. The energy of photon is unique to each element which is why they are used to identify elements. Continuous x-ray on the other hand are created by collisions of electrons with the target. This converts a fraction of the kinetic energy of the electron to photon. The energy of photon can be anywhere between 0 to maximum energy of the incoming electron (eV). So, this cannot be used to detect elements as it depends on the incoming electron and not the target.

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