Moseley Plots and X-Ray Spectroscopy

In this experiment, our team reproduced Moseley’s pioneering work in X-ray spectroscopy by using a Pelletron particle accelerator and the PIXE method to study electron transitions across multiple elements. By analyzing the emitted X-ray spectra, we created calibration plots and extracted the coefficients in Moseley’s law.

Plotting and regression analysis were performed in Python, which allowed us to fit the experimental data, compare transitions (Kα, Kβ, Lα, etc.), and evaluate the accuracy of our results against Moseley’s original findings. While some error was observed in higher-order transitions, the K-series data aligned closely with theory, reinforcing the relationship between atomic number and X-ray frequency.

This project highlighted the use of accelerator-based spectroscopy, computational modeling, and data-driven validation of physical theory, blending experimental technique with modern coding approaches.