Question

Assume an atom has K, L, and M electrons and the energies for K, L, and M shells are -5000, -500, and -50 eV. Please give all possible energies of Auger electrons and characteristic X-rays

Answer 1

The Auger effect is a process by which electrons with characteristic energies are ejected from atoms in response to a downward transition by another electron in the atom.

For single energy level K, transitions can occur from the L level with energy -500-(-5000) = 4500 eV;

For single energy level L, transitions can occur from the M levels with energy -50-(-500) = 450 eV;

Characteristic x-rays are emitted from heavy elements when their electrons make transitions between the lower atomic energy levels. The energies are discrete and represent the difference between electron binding energies.

If an electron transitions from a level with energy E_ito one with energy E_j, the emitted X-ray has energy

A K X-ray arises from a transition to the K shell from an outer shell

A L X-ray arises from a transition to the L shell from an outer shell