Question
In the X-ray spectra, the $K_\beta$ line originates
The correct answer is
when an $n = 3$ electron undergoes a transition to a vacant $n = 1$ state
In the context of X-ray spectra, the emission lines observed are a result of electrons in an atom transitioning between different energy levels (or shells). Specifically, the lines known as K-lines arise when transitions occur between the K-shell (the innermost shell) and other shells.
The nomenclature for X-ray spectral lines includes the terms Kɑ and Kβ, which signify different types of transitions:
- Kɑ line: An electron falls from the L-shell (n=2) to a vacancy in the K-shell (n=1).
- Kβ line: An electron falls from the M-shell (n=3) to a vacancy in the K-shell (n=1).
Knowing this, let us evaluate the given options:
- An electron transition from n=4 to n=2 does not involve the K-shell, so it is irrelevant to K-lines.
- An electron transition from n=3 to n=2 also does not involve the K-shell, thus does not form a K-line.
- An electron transition from n=3 to n=1 involves the K-shell and specifically results in a Kβ line. Hence, this is the correct answer.
- An electron transition from n=2 to n=1 involves the K-shell, but it results in a Kɑ line, not a Kβ line.
Thus, the correct answer is the transition of an n=3 electron to a vacant n=1 state, which generates the Kβ line.
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