How are x-rays primarily produced?

X-rays are primarily produced by decelerating high-speed electrons. When high-energy electrons collide with a target material, such as tungsten, they experience a sudden deceleration. This deceleration leads to the release of energy in the form of X-rays. The process known as Bremsstrahlung radiation occurs when electrons are rapidly slowed down, resulting in the emission of electromagnetic radiation within the X-ray spectrum.

This mechanism emphasizes the fundamental concept of how X-rays are generated in X-ray tubes. The energy from the electrons is converted into X-ray photons, which can then be utilized for imaging and therapeutic purposes in medicine. The characteristics of the X-rays can be influenced by factors such as the energy of the electrons, the type of target material used, and the design of the X-ray tube.

The other options do not align with the practical process of X-ray production. For instance, while protons can be involved in various forms of radiation therapy, they are not the primary source of X-rays. Similarly, the fission of heavy elements is associated with nuclear reactions and the production of different types of radiation, not X-rays specifically. Lastly, photons are the resulting output of the process but cannot themselves be accelerated to produce X-rays as they are already a form