What occurs to electrons in the cathode during the initial stage of an x-ray process?

During the initial stage of the x-ray process, electrons in the cathode are boiled off. This process is known as thermionic emission, where the cathode is heated to a high temperature, causing electrons on its surface to gain enough energy to overcome the attractive forces holding them in place. As a result, these freed electrons enter the vacuum of the x-ray tube, moving towards the anode. This step is essential for generating x-rays, as it provides the necessary electrons that will later interact with the anode material, producing x-ray photons.

The boiling off of electrons is critical for the functioning of the x-ray tube, as this emission sets the stage for the acceleration of these electrons towards the anode, where they will collide with the target material to produce x-rays. Other processes like absorption, capturing, or reflecting do not accurately describe what happens to the electrons in the cathode during this initial phase.