High-energy electrons collide with a metal target, producing X-ray photons. The variation with wavelength of the intensity of the X-ray beam is illustrated in the figure below.
Explain why there is
a continuous distribution of wavelengths,
a sharp cut-off at short wavelength,
a series of peaks superimposed on the continuous distribution of wavelengths.
In the X-ray imaging of body structures, longer wavelength photons are frequently filtered out of the X-ray beam.
State how this filtering is achieved.
Suggest the reason for this filtering.
