This lesson focuses on understanding the nomenclature of X-ray emission lines, essential for interpreting XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) spectra. By exploring the transitions within atomic structures, students will learn how these lines are named and their relevance to analyzing materials, particularly in the context of art examination.
Objectives
- Understand the process leading to the generation of X-ray emission lines.
- Learn the nomenclature for X-ray emission lines, such as Kα, Kβ, Lα, and Lβ.
- Explore the relationship between energy transitions and emission lines.
- Use reference tables to identify emission lines in XRF spectra.
Materials
- Reference tables for XRF emission lines, including:
- XRF peaks of chemical elements table (art-focused).
- Online resources from Horiba Jobin Yvon and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Lesson Plan
- Introduction to Atomic Structure and X-Ray Emission
- Review the atomic structure and the photoelectric effect as the origin of X-ray emission lines.
- Explain the process of electron transitions between shells (e.g., K, L, M) and the energy release in the form of characteristic X-rays.
- Nomenclature of X-Ray Emission Lines
- Discuss how transitions are named based on the shell where the vacancy is filled (e.g., Kα, Kβ, Lα).
- Highlight the energy differences between lines and their significance.
