Explain the characteristic X-ray spectra.

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Characteristic x-rays are emitted from heavy elements when their electrons make transitions between the lower atomic energy levels.
The characteristic x-rays emission which are shown as two sharp peaks in the diagram, occur when vacancies are produced in the n=1 or K-shell of the atom and electrons drop down from above to fill the gap.
The x-rays produced by transitions from the n=2 to n=1 levels are called K-alpha x-rays, and those for the n=3→1 transition are called K-beta x-rays.
Transitions to the n=2 or L-shell are designated as L x-rays (n=3→2 is L-alpha, n=4→2 is L-beta, etc.)
The continuous distribution of x-rays which forms the base for the two sharp peaks at left is called ‘bremsstrahlung’ radiation.

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