What happens when an incident electron interacts with the tungsten target in characteristic radiation production?

When an incident electron interacts with the tungsten target in characteristic radiation production, it primarily ejects an inner-shell tungsten electron. This process occurs when the high-energy incident electron collides with an electron in one of the inner energy levels of the tungsten atom. The collision provides sufficient energy for the inner-shell electron to overcome the binding energy that holds it in the atom, resulting in its ejection.

Once this inner-shell electron is ejected, a vacancy is created. To fill this vacancy, an electron from a higher energy level drops down into the lower energy shell. This transition releases energy in the form of characteristic X-rays, which have specific energies related to the differences in energy levels of the tungsten electrons. These characteristic X-rays are what define the unique energy signature of the tungsten target, making it essential for X-ray imaging applications.

The other potential outcomes mentioned in the choices do not occur as a result of this specific interaction. For instance, gamma radiation is not produced in this context, nor is thermal energy generated from this specific interaction; rather, it is the ejection of an inner-shell electron and subsequent energy transition that produces the characteristic radiation. Therefore, the ejection of an inner-shell tungsten electron is key to understanding how characteristic radiation is produced during