A vacancy is created in the K-shell of an atom. An electron from the L-shell falls into this vacancy and the energy difference is emitted as a characteristic X-ray photon. What is this spectral line called?
Options

Question

A vacancy is created in the K-shell of an atom. An electron from the L-shell falls into this vacancy and the energy difference is emitted as a characteristic X-ray photon. What is this spectral line called?

Options

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Characteristic K-series lines are named according to the shell from which an electron fills a K-shell vacancy. L-shell to K-shell gives Kα. M-shell to K-shell gives Kβ. N-shell to K-shell gives Kγ. Therefore an L-to-K transition produces the Kα line. Correct option: A.