Find the maximum potential difference which may be applied across an X-ray tube with tungsten target without emitting any characteristic K or L X-ray. The energy levels of the tungsten atom with an electron knocked out are as follows.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Given:

The potential that must be set across the X ray tube without emitting any characteristic K or l rays be ‘V’

Energy of the electron relation, is given by

This is the energy gap that L shells sit in. Therefore, If the voltage were to be set to a point without emitting any characteristic X rays,

The maximum potential difference that can be applied will be

11.3 eV, which corresponds to L shell.