What are the two components of the x-ray tube?

What are the two components of the x-ray tube?

• A. Anode and Cathode
• B. Cathode and Filament
• C. Anode and Target
• D. Filament and Target

Answer: (A)

The essential parts responsible for producing x-rays are the cathode and the anode. The cathode is a negatively charged assembly that includes a heated filament; when heated, the filament emits electrons through thermionic emission. The anode is a positively charged electrode that contains the target; under high voltage, the emitted electrons are accelerated toward this target and collide with it. The energy from these collisions is converted into x-ray photons (plus heat). The vacuum inside the tube and a focusing cup on the cathode help direct the electrons toward a small focal spot on the anode, making the x-ray beam efficient and controllable. So, x-rays are generated when electrons created at the cathode are directed to and interact with the anode’s target. (Filament and target are parts of the cathode and anode respectively, but the two main components are cathode and anode.)

The essential parts responsible for producing x-rays are the cathode and the anode. The cathode is a negatively charged assembly that includes a heated filament; when heated, the filament emits electrons through thermionic emission. The anode is a positively charged electrode that contains the target; under high voltage, the emitted electrons are accelerated toward this target and collide with it. The energy from these collisions is converted into x-ray photons (plus heat). The vacuum inside the tube and a focusing cup on the cathode help direct the electrons toward a small focal spot on the anode, making the x-ray beam efficient and controllable. So, x-rays are generated when electrons created at the cathode are directed to and interact with the anode’s target. (Filament and target are parts of the cathode and anode respectively, but the two main components are cathode and anode.)