Which process describes how x-rays are formed in a tube head?

The formation of x-rays in a tube head involves a process known as filament heating and thermionic emission. In the x-ray tube, a cathode is heated, usually by passing an electrical current through a filament. This heating causes the filament to emit electrons in a process called thermionic emission.

Once these electrons are generated, they are directed toward the anode, where they collide with metal (typically tungsten) at high speeds. The kinetic energy from these striking electrons is converted into x-ray photons, resulting in the formation of x-rays. This process is essential for creating the high-energy electromagnetic radiation used in radiographic imaging.

Understanding filament heating and thermionic emission is crucial to comprehending how x-ray tubes function, as it highlights the fundamental mechanisms behind x-ray production.