Q. The minimum wavelength of X-ray emitted from X-ray machine operating at an accelerating potential of V volts is

A) $\frac{hc}{eV}$
B) $\frac{Vc}{eh}$
C) $\frac{eh}{Vc}$
D) $\frac{eV}{hc}$
Explanation

(a) If all of the kinetic energy carried by an electron is converted into radiation, the energy of the X-rays photon would be given by
${E\ }_{\max} = {hv\ }_{\max} = eV$
Where $h$ is Planck’s constant, ${v\ }_{\max}\ $the largest frequency, $e$ charge of an electron and $V$ the applied voltage.
This maximum energy or minimum wavelength is called the Duane-Hunt limit.
$\therefore\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ {hv\ }_{\max} = \frac{hc}{{\lambda\ }_{\min}} = eV$
$\Rightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ {\ \lambda\ }_{\min} = \frac{hc}{eV}$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.