University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 41 - Quantum Mechanics II: Atomic Structure - Problems - Discussion Questions - Page 1401: Q41.23

Answer

No, hydrogen cannot emit x-rays.

Work Step by Step

The energy of the ground state of a hydrogen atom is -13.6 eV. Even if an electron dropped from $n=\infty$ down to the ground state, the emitted photon would only have energy of 13.6 eV, which is not energetic enough to be an x-ray. X-ray targets are generally composed of higher atomic number metals.
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