What are the two types of X-rays?

• A. Ultraviolet and Visible
• B. Bremsstrahlung and Characteristic
• C. Gamma and Alpha
• D. Thermal and Fluorescent

Answer: (B)

In XRF analysis, X-rays come from two fundamental production mechanisms: bremsstrahlung and characteristic radiation. Bremsstrahlung, or braking radiation, is produced when fast electrons are decelerated by the electric field of nuclei in the target material, creating a continuous spectrum of X-ray energies up to the incident electron energy. Characteristic X-rays occur when an inner-shell electron is ejected and electrons from higher shells drop into the vacancy, emitting photons with energies specific to the element. These two forms—continuous bremsstrahlung and element-specific characteristic lines—are the dominant X-ray types observed in XRF. The other options refer to different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum or to nuclear radiation, not the two standard X-ray production mechanisms.