INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

What is characteristic x-ray production considered as?

1. Primary source of photons

2. Secondary source of photons

3. Tertiary source of photons

4. Quaternary source of photons

The correct answer is: Secondary source of photons

Characteristic x-ray production is considered a secondary source of photons. This type of x-ray production occurs when an inner-shell electron is ejected from an atom and an electron from an outer shell fills the vacancy, releasing x-ray photons in the process. The primary source of photons in x-ray production is the general or bremsstrahlung radiation produced when electrons are decelerated by the target material, while characteristic radiation is considered a secondary source. Tertiary and quaternary sources of photons are not terms used in the context of characteristic x-ray production.