1. X-rays
And you

2. What are X-rays???
As you know, X-rays are a high frequency form of electromagnetic energy
Short wavelength (high energy) according to the wave model
Photons with a lot of energy according to the particle model

3. Where do they come from?
We generate X-rays via the rapid de-acceleration of electrons – like this: − + − + ✗ − + − +
Dense heavy metal
Like tungsten

4. The process is called: Bremsstrahlung
= braking radiation – when the e- hits the metal plate, it de-accelerates.

5. Did you know?
X-rays have a variety of wavelengths??? (due to various rates of de-acceleration)
Well what would a graph of the wavelengths produced look like?
Great question!!!

6. Intensity (# photons/s) Max E (small λ) Related to # cut off e- / s
Intensity (# photons/s) Max E (small λ) Related to # cut off e- / s .04 λ (nm) .1 An e- w/ 5x10-15 J of E will produce a photon w/ 5x10-15 J of E (max)

7. What are those weird peaks?
Great question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When the in-coming e- knocks out inner shell e- s (n=1 or n=2), a “hole” is created. An outer shell e- can drop in to take the place of the displaced e-. When this happens, additional x-ray energy is released – hence the odd spikes.
Recall that these metals have many orbitals so the drop from an outer orbital is a significant change in energy!

8. So does that mean -
That if you use different metal – the spikes will not be in the same place????
Yes, this is true grasshopper. The spikes will shift depending on the type of metal used.

9. What would an X-ray of your brain full of knowledge look like?
Like this:

10. Actually I know that one is an MRI
Actually I know that one is an MRI. But it is more interesting than a x-ray image – so there!