The characteristic peaks in an x-ray spectrum of an atom occur because
A)of photon absorption.
B)of the photoelectric effect.
C)electrons in the atom make transitions to lower energy levels.
D)of the uncertainty principle.
E)of rapid deceleration of the bombarding electrons.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The characteristic peaks in an x-ray spectrum of an atom occur because electrons in the atom make transitions to lower energy levels, which results in the emission of x-rays with specific energies that correspond to the energy difference between the levels involved. This process is known as characteristic x-ray emission.

The Characteristic Peaks in an X-Ray Spectrum of an Atom