When Bremsstrahlung radiation is produced, what happens to the incident electron?

When Bremsstrahlung radiation is produced, the incident electron is deflected by the electric field of the atomic nucleus, resulting in a loss of energy. This phenomenon occurs because as the high-energy electron approaches the positively charged nucleus, it experiences a change in direction due to the attractive force. During this process, the electron loses some of its kinetic energy, which is then emitted in the form of X-ray radiation.

Bremsstrahlung, which translates to "braking radiation," specifically describes this mechanism where the electron is decelerated as it is influenced by the electric field of nuclei in the target material. The energy lost by the electron corresponds to the energy of the emitted X-ray. Thus, understanding this interaction is crucial in radiologic technology as it highlights the connection between electron behavior and X-ray production.

In this context, it is clear that when the electron is deflected, it cannot maintain its original energy level; rather, it loses energy, which is effectively transferred to the radiation produced. This principle is foundational in understanding how X-ray tubes operate and the relationship between electrons and the resulting X-ray output.