How is the energy of X-rays measured?

The energy of X-rays is measured using a device called a spectrometer.

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with high energy and short wavelengths. The energy of X-rays can be measured using a device called a spectrometer, which separates the X-rays into different wavelengths and measures their intensity. The spectrometer consists of a crystal that diffracts the X-rays, producing a pattern of bright spots on a detector. The position of these spots corresponds to the different wavelengths of the X-rays.

The energy of X-rays is proportional to their wavelength, so by measuring the position of the bright spots on the detector, the energy of the X-rays can be determined. This is done by comparing the position of the X-ray peaks to the known positions of peaks produced by a calibration source with known energies.

The energy of X-rays is typically measured in electron volts (eV), which is a unit of energy commonly used in atomic and nuclear physics. X-rays can have energies ranging from a few hundred eV to several million eV, depending on their source and the conditions under which they are produced.

In summary, the energy of X-rays is measured using a spectrometer, which separates the X-rays into different wavelengths and measures their intensity. The energy of the X-rays can then be determined by comparing their wavelengths to a calibration source with known energies.