Question

The energy of the emitted X-rays depends upon the _________ of the atom and their intensity depends upon the __________

(a) Atomic number, amount of sample

(b) Mass number, amount of sample

(c) Mass number, concentration of atoms

(d) Atomic number, concentration of atoms

I have been asked this question in class test.

This intriguing question originated from X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry in division X-Ray Spectrometers of Analytical Instrumentation

Answer 1

Right choice is (d) Atomic number, concentration of atoms

To explain: The energy of the emitted X-rays depends upon the atomic number of the atom and their intensity depends upon the concentration of atoms in the sample. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is based on this principle.