XRF measures by emitting gamma rays to excite what?

XRF measures by emitting gamma rays to excite what?

• A. the electrons
• B. the nuclei
• C. the photons
• D. the lattice

Answer: (A)

XRF relies on exciting electrons in atoms with high-energy photons. When a core electron is ejected or its shell is left with a vacancy, electrons from higher shells drop to fill it, and the energy released as characteristic X-rays is what the detector measures. By analyzing those emitted X-rays, you identify the elements and estimate their amounts. So the excitation targeted by the incoming gamma (or X-ray) photons is the electrons, not the nuclei, photons themselves, or the lattice.

XRF relies on exciting electrons in atoms with high-energy photons. When a core electron is ejected or its shell is left with a vacancy, electrons from higher shells drop to fill it, and the energy released as characteristic X-rays is what the detector measures. By analyzing those emitted X-rays, you identify the elements and estimate their amounts. So the excitation targeted by the incoming gamma (or X-ray) photons is the electrons, not the nuclei, photons themselves, or the lattice.