Question

The electrons of an atom act as which of the following options for the sources of X-rays?

(a) Electrode

(b) Primary source

(c) Secondary source

(d) Tertiary source

I got this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

I'm obligated to ask this question of Intensities topic in chapter X-Ray Diffraction of Solid State Chemistry

Answer 1

The correct option is (c) Secondary source

To elaborate: A vibrating charge such as an electron emits radiation and this radiation in in phase or coherent with the incident X-ray beam. The electrons of an atom therefore act as the secondary point sources of X-rays.