Bremsella
Bremsstrahlung (Braking Radiation) Physics
Where do X-rays come from? Bremsella is an electron swerving past a nucleus. Any accelerating charge radiates, and for slow charges the Larmor formula gives the power, P = q²a²/(6πε₀c³), so doubling the acceleration quadruples it. Bremsstrahlung, German for braking radiation, gives an X-ray tube its continuous spectrum as fast electrons stop in the metal target. A 3" pixel-art sticker; equation, symbols and sources in the physics panel below.
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The physics
Any accelerating charge radiates. Larmor's formula says the power grows with the square of the charge and the square of its acceleration, which is why electrons that slow down sharply in matter give off braking radiation.
Equations
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| \(P\) | power radiated by the accelerating charge (non-relativistic Larmor formula) | \(\mathrm{W}\) |
| \(q\) | charge of the particle | \(\mathrm{C}\) |
| \(a\) | magnitude of its acceleration | \(\mathrm{m/s^2}\) |
| \(\varepsilon_0\) | vacuum permittivity | \(\mathrm{F/m}\) |
| \(c\) | speed of light | \(\mathrm{m/s}\) |
Sources
- Larmor, J. (1897) On a dynamical theory of the electric and luminiferous medium, Phil. Mag. 44, 503
- Jackson, J. D., Classical Electrodynamics, 3rd ed., Ch. 14 (Larmor formula) and Ch. 15 (bremsstrahlung)
- Wikipedia, Bremsstrahlung (opens in a new tab)
Source Larmor, J. (1897). On the theory of the magnetic influence on spectra; and on the radiation from moving ions. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science 44, 503–512.doi.org/10.1080/14786449708621095 (opens in a new tab)