Final answer:
X-rays are produced when fast-moving electrons collide with matter. This can happen through emissions during collisions or through the electron transferring energy to matter. These processes occur in X-ray machines and cathode ray tubes.
Step-by-step explanation:
X-rays are produced when fast-moving electrons collide with any form of matter. When electrons strike a target material, they suddenly slow down and emit braking radiation, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation. This process happens in X-ray machines and cathode ray tubes (CRT), and the emitted X-rays contain a continuous range of frequencies. The second method by which energetic electrons create X-rays is through interactions with charges in a material. These collisions transfer kinetic energy from the electron to the electrons and atoms in the material, resulting in the production of X-rays.