HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Exercise Solutions
Question 1: Find the energy, the frequency and the momentum of an X-ray photon of wavelength 0.10
nm.

Solution:
Wavelength of X-rays = 0.10 nm.

We know, E = hc/λ

Where,
Velocity of light = c = 3 x 108 m/s
Planks constant = h = 6.63 x 10-34 J-s
Wavelength of X-rays = λ = 0.10 x 10-9 m (given)

E = [6.63 x 10-34 x 3 x 108 ]/[ 0.10 x 10-9] = 1.98 x 10-15 Joules/photon

Also, the frequency can be calculated using below formula:

γ = c/ λ = [3 x 108]/[ 0.10 x 10-9] = 3 x 1018 Hertz

Find momentum:
p = h/ λ = [6.63 x 10-34]/[ 0.10 x 10-9] = 6.626 x 10-24 kg ms-1.

Question 2: Iron emits Kα X-ray of energy 6.4 keV and calcium emits Kα X-ray of energy 3.69 keV.
Calculate the times taken by an iron Kα photon and a calcium Kα photon to cross through a distance of
3 km.

Solution:
Let "t" be the time taken each of those rays to travel a distance of 3 Km.

We know, time = distance/speed

=> t = [3x103]/[3x108] = 10-5 s = 10 μs

Both the Kα photon and X-ray photon will take the same i.e. 10μs

Question 3: Find the cutoff wavelength for the continuous X-rays coming from an X-ray tube operating
at 30 kV.

Solution:
Cutoff wavelength = λ = hc/eV = [1242 eV-nm]/[ex30x103] = 414 x 10-4 nm
 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Question 4: What potential difference should be applied across an X-ray tube to get X-ray of
wavelength not less than 0.10 nm? What is the maximum energy of a photon of this X-ray in joule?

Solution:

We know, λ = hc/eV

Or V = hc/eλ = [6.63 x 10-34 x 3 x108]/[1.6x10-19x10-10] = 12.4 KV

Now,
Maximum energy of photon of wavelength λ = 0.10 nm is

E = hc/λ = [6.63 x 10-34 x 3 x108]/[0.10x10-9] = 1.98 x 10-15 Joules/photon

Question 5: The X-ray coming from a Coolidge tube has a cutoff wavelength of 80 pm. Find the kinetic
energy of the electrons hitting the target.

Solution:
We know, E = hc/λ = [1242 eV-nm]/[80x10-3] = 15.525 x 103 eV = 15.5 KeV(approx..)

Question 6: If the operating potential in an X-ray tube is increased by 1%, by what percentage does the
cut-off wavelength decrease?

Solution:
If the operating voltage is increased by 1%, then the new operating voltage, say v' will be,

V' = V + V/100 = 1.01 V

Cutoff wavelength (λ') in increasing the operation voltage is

λ' = (h/1.01) V = λ/1.01

Therefore, difference in wavelength is λ' - λ/1.01 = (0.01)/1.01λ

Now,
Percentage change in the wavelength:

(0.01)/1.01λ x λ x 100 = 1/1.01 = 0.9901 = 1 % (approx)

Question 7: The distance between the cathode (filament) and the target in an X-ray tube is 1.5 m. If
the cutoff wavelength is 30 pm, find the electric field between the cathode and the target.
 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Solution:
The distance between the cathode (filament) and the target in an X-ray tube is 1.5 m. If the cutoff
wavelength is 30 pm.

We know, E = hc/ λ

= [6.63 x 10-34 x 3 x108]/[30x10-12] = 41.4 x 103 eV

Now,
Electric field = V/d = [41.4 x 103]/1.5 = 27.6 kVm-1.

Question 8: The short-wavelength limit shifts by 26 pm when the operating voltage in an X-ray tube is
increased to 1.5 times the original value. What was the original value of the operating voltage?

Solution:
When the operating voltage of the X-ray tube is increased to 1.5 times

we have, λ' = λ - 26
where λ = initial wavelength and λ' = new wavelength

Also, we have E = hc/λ

or eV = hc/λ

Where V = operating initial potential

λ = hc/eV

Consider V’ be the new operating voltage, then

λV = λ'V' = (λ - 26) x 1.5 V

=> 0.5λ = 26 x 1.5

=> λ = 78 pm

Question 9: The electron beam in a color TV is accelerated through 32 kV and then strikes the screen.
What is the wavelength of the most energetic X-ray photon?

Solution:

E = hc/ λ
 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Or λ = hc/E

Given: Potential across the X-ray Tube, V = 32kV

=> λ = hc/E = [1242x10-9]/[32x103] = 38.8 pm

Question 10: When 40 kV is applied across an X-ray tube, X-ray is obtained with a maximum frequency
of 9.7 × 1018 Hz. Calculate the value of Planck constant from these data.

Solution:
Wavelength of X-ray = λ = hc/eV ….(1)

We know, γ = c/ λ, using in (1), we get

h = eV/ γ = [40x103]/[9.7x1018] x e = 4.12 x 10-15 eVs

Question 11: An X-ray tube operates at 40 kV. Suppose the electron converts 70% of its energy into a
photon at each collision. Find the lowest three wavelengths emitted from the tube. Neglect the energy
imparted to the atom with which the electron collides.

Solution:
Energy utilized by the electron = E = 70% energy into a photon

=> E = 70/100 x 40 x 103 eV = 28 x 103 eV

Wavelength of the X-ray = λ = hc/eV

= [1242x10-9]/[28x103]

= 44.35 pm

For the 2nd wavelength (which is 70% of leftover energy)

E = 70/100 x (40-28) x 103 eV = 8.4 x 103 eV

Wavelength of the X-ray = λ = hc/eV

= [1242x10-9]/[8.4x103]

= 148 pm
 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Similarly, For the 3rd wavelength:

E = 70/100 x (12-8.4) x 103 eV = 25.2 x 102 eV

Wavelength of the X-ray = λ = hc/eV

= [1242x10-9]/[25.2x102]

= 493 pm

Question 12: The wavelength of Kα X-ray of tungsten is 21.3 pm. It takes 11.3 keV to knock out an
electron from the L shell of a tungsten atom. What should be the minimum accelerating voltage across
an X-ray tube having tungsten target which allows production of Kα X-ray?

Solution:
Energy required to knock out an electron from L-shell = EL = 11.3 KeV
Wavelength of X-ray = 21.3 pm
Voltage = 11.3 kV

The energy gap between K and L shell,

EK - EL = [1242x10-9]/[21.3x10-12] = 58.309 KeV

Ek = 11.3 + 58.309 = 69.609 KeV

The accelerating voltage across the X-ray tube for the production of Kα X-ray is Vk = 69.609 KeV

Question 13: The Kβ X-ray of argon has a wavelength of 0.36 nm. The minimum energy needed to
ionize an argon atom is 16 eV. Find the energy needed to knock out an electron from the K shell of an
argon atom

Solution:
Energy of Kβ x-ray of argon, E = [1242x10-9]/[0.36x10-9] = 3450 eV

[Given: Wavelength of Kβ X-ray of argon = 0.36 nm]

Energy needed to knock out an electron from K shell can be calculated as:

Ek = 3450 + 16 eV

Ek = 3.47 KeV (approx.)

 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Question 14: The Kα X-rays of aluminum (Z = 13) and zinc (Z = 30) have wavelengths 887 pm and 146
pm respectively. Use Moseley’s law √v = a(Z – b) to find the wavelength of the Kα X-ray of iron (Z = 26).

Solution:
Let γ1 and γ2 are the frequencies of Kα X-rays of aluminum and zinc respectively

So, γ1 = [3x108]/[887 x 10-12] = 33.82 x 1016 Hz

and γ2 = [3x108]/[146 x 10-12] = 2.055 x 1018 Hz

Again,

√γ = a(Z - b)

For aluminum:

5.815 x 108 = a(13 - b) ...(a)

For Zinc:

1.4331 x 109 = a(30 - b) ...(a)

Dividing above equations, we get

(13-b)/(30-b) = [5.815 x 108 ]/[1.4331 x 109 ] = 0.4057

=> (13-b)/(30-b) = 0.4057

=> (13-b)0.4057 = (30-b)

=> b = 1.3949

(a)=> a = [5.815 x 108]/(13-1.3949) = 5 x 107

Now, let us find the wavelength of the Kα X-ray of iron:

Frequency of the iron is given as √γ = (5 x 107)(26 - 1.39) = 123.05 x 107

or γ = 5.1413 x 1014

We know, γ = c/λ

or λ = c/γ = [3x108]/[5.1413 x 1014] = 198 pm

 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Question 15: A certain element emits Kα X-ray of energy 3.69 keV. Use the data from the previous
problem to identify the element.

Solution:
Energy of Kα X-rays= 3.69 KeV (Given)

Using formula to find the Wavelength, or λ = hc/eV

=> λ = [1242x10-9]/[3690] = 0.34 x 10-9 m

[Because 3.69 KeV = 3690 eV]

Using Moseley’s law, √γ = a(Z - b) ....(1)

Where γ = c/λ

√γ = √c/λ = √[3x108]/√[0.34x10-9] = 9.39 x 108

(1)=> 9.39 x 108 = (5 x 107)(Z - 1.39)

[Note: Used values of a and b from previous problem]

=> z = 20.17 = 20 (approx)

Atomic number (Z) = 20

Therefore, element with Atomic number 20 is calcium (Ca).

Question 16: The Kβ X-rays from certain elements are given below. Draw a Moseley-type plot of √v
versus Z for Kβ radiation.

Element Ne P Ca Mn Zn Br
Energy(KeV) 0.858 2.14 4.02 6.51 9.57 13.3

Solution:
Using energy frequency relation to find the value of v.

i.e. Frequency = Energy/h

Where h = Planck's constant

and energy in KeV.

The required graph is:

 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Question 17: Use Moseley’s law with b = 1 to find the frequency of the Kα X-ray of La (Z = 57) if the
frequency of the Kα X-ray of Cu (Z = 29) is known to be 1.88 × 1016 Hz.

Solution:
Using Moseley’s law, √ν = a(Z - b) ....(1)

Where ν = c/λ

Given b = 1

Now,

Given: ZLa = 57 and ZCu = 29

=> νLa = 1.88 x 1018 ((57-1)/(29-1))2 = 7.52 x 1018

=> νLa = 7.52 x 1018 Hz

 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

Question 18: The Kα and Kβ X-rays of molybdenum have wavelengths 0.71 angstrom and 0.63 angstrom
respectively. Find the wavelength of Lα X-ray of molybdenum.

Solution: The Kα and Kβ X-rays of molybdenum have wavelengths 0.71 angstrom and 0.63 angstrom
respectively.

Let λ1 = 0.71 angstrom and λ2 = 0.63 angstrom

To find: Wavelength of Lα

Energy of Kα x-rays is given by: Kα = EK - EL

Energy of Kβ is given by: Kβ = EK - EM and

Energy of Lα is given by: Lα = EK - EM

Relating above equations, we have

Lα = Kα - Kβ

= [3x108]/[0.63x10-10] - [3x108]/[0.71x10-10]

or Lα = 0.536 x 1018 Hz

We know, λ = c/v = (3x108)/(0.536x1018) = 5.6 angstrom.

Question 19: The wavelengths of Kα and Lα X-rays of a material are 21.3 pm and 141 pm respectively.
Find the wavelength of Kβ X-ray of the material.

Solution:
The wavelengths of Kα and Lα X-rays of a material are 21.3 pm and 141 pm respectively.

Let E1, E2 and E3 are the energies of Kα, Lα and Kβ.

Using all three relations, we have

E3 = E1 + E 2

=> E3 = 1242/[21.3x10-3] + 1242/[141x10-5]

= 58.309 x 103 + 8.8085 x 103

 HC Verma Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 22 X-Rays

= 67.118 x 103 eV

Now, Find the wavelength of Kβ X-ray of the material:

Using relation,

λ = hc/E = (1242)/(67.118 x 103) = 18.5 pm.

Question 20: The energy of a silver atom with a vacancy in K shell is 25.31 keV, in L shell is 3.56 keV
and in M shell is 0.530 keV higher than the energy of the atom with no vacancy. Find the frequency of
Kα, Lβ and Lα X-rays of silver.

Solution:

Let E1, E2 and E3 are the energies of K shell, L shell and M shell.

So, E1 = 25.31 KeV , E2 = 3.56 keV and E3 = 0.530 keV

Let v1, v2 and v3 be the frequencies of Kα, Lβ and Lα x-rays respectively.

Kα x-ray emitted when the transition takes place between l and k shells.

=> Kα = E1 - E2 = h v1

or v1 = (E1 – E2)/h = (25.31-3.56)/(6.63x10-34) x 1.6 x 10-19 x 103

= 5.25 x 1018 Hz

kβ x-ray is emitted when the transition takes place between k and m shells

=> Kβ = E1 – E3 = h v2

or v2 = (E1 – E3)/h = (25.31-0.53)/(6.63x10-34) x 1.6 x 10-19 x 103

= 5.985 x 1018 Hz

Lα x-ray is emitted when the transition takes place between l and m shells

=> Lα = E2 – E3 = h v3

or v3 = (E2 – E3)/h = (3.56-0.53)/(6.63x10-34) x 1.6 x 10-19 x 103

= 7.32 x 1017 Hz