X-Ray Diffraction: Why Doesn't It Eject Electrons?

In summary, x-rays have enough energy to eject electrons from atoms and molecules, but in x-ray diffraction experiments, the electrons only oscillate with the same frequency as the x-rays. This is because the experimental setup is typically only looking for diffracted x-rays and not photoelectrons. However, if the experiment is done in vacuum with an electron analyzer, photoelectrons will be detected. So while both processes can happen, the x-ray diffraction experiment is not designed to detect ejected electrons.
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sarvesh upadhyay
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X-ray has enough energy to eject the electron in the atom, molecule etc. But in the x-ray diffraction electron does not eject, only oscillate with the same frequency as X -ray,why? Why does not x-ray eject the electron?
 
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Some of them do. Both processes happen, you can just ignore one if you are not interested in it.
 
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sarvesh upadhyay said:
X-ray has enough energy to eject the electron in the atom, molecule etc. But in the x-ray diffraction electron does not eject, only oscillate with the same frequency as X -ray,why? Why does not x-ray eject the electron?

This is not correct. There's nothing that says that electrons are also not ejected.

The experimental setup typically is looking only for the diffracted x-ray, i.e. it has some photodetector, not an electron analyzer. So of course the setup will not detect any emitted photoelectrons, because that is not the purpose of an x-ray diffraction experiment.

If you do the same thing in vacuum, and you have an electron analyzer designed to do a x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, I can almost guarantee you that you WILL detect photoelectrons.

Zz.
 
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FAQ: X-Ray Diffraction: Why Doesn't It Eject Electrons?

What is X-Ray Diffraction and how does it work?

X-Ray Diffraction is a technique used in material science and crystallography to analyze the atomic and molecular structure of a material. It works by shining an X-ray beam onto a sample, which causes the atoms in the sample to diffract the X-rays in specific patterns. By analyzing these patterns, scientists can determine the arrangement of atoms within the sample.

Why doesn't X-Ray Diffraction eject electrons?

X-Ray Diffraction does not eject electrons because the energy of the X-rays used is not high enough to eject electrons from the atoms in the sample. X-rays have a higher energy than visible light, but lower energy than gamma rays, which are known to eject electrons.

Can X-Ray Diffraction be used to determine the chemical composition of a sample?

Yes, X-Ray Diffraction can be used to determine the chemical composition of a sample. The specific patterns produced by the diffracted X-rays can provide information about the types of atoms and the arrangement of atoms within the sample, which can help determine its chemical composition.

What are some common applications of X-Ray Diffraction?

X-Ray Diffraction has a wide range of applications, including analyzing the structure of crystals, determining the composition of materials, and studying the properties of polymers and nanoparticles. It is also commonly used in the fields of geology, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.

Are there any limitations to using X-Ray Diffraction?

While X-Ray Diffraction is a powerful tool for analyzing materials, it does have some limitations. It can only be used on solid materials, and the sample size must be small enough to fit within the X-ray beam. Additionally, the sample must be in a crystalline form, meaning the atoms are arranged in a regular and repeating pattern. Amorphous materials, such as glass, cannot be analyzed using X-Ray Diffraction.

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