Final answer:
X-ray tubes have a heat production limit, which is why their mA levels are kept under a certain threshold. For an X-ray tube with a 100 kV acceleration voltage and a 15.0 mA current, the power of the electron beam is calculated to be 1.5 kW.
Step-by-step explanation:
X-ray tubes are designed to limit the electron current to prevent excessive heat generation that can damage the tube components. Typically, X-ray tubes do not exceed certain levels of milliamperes (mA) because of the heat production limit. To calculate the electron beam power in such a tube, we use the formula P = VI, where P is the power in watts (W), V is the voltage in volts (V), and I is the current in amperes (A). For an X-ray tube with electrons accelerated through 100 kV (1.00 × 10² kV) and having a current of 15.0 mA, the power is calculated as follows:
P = (1.00 × 10² kV) × (15.0 mA) = 100 kV × 0.015 A = 1.5 kW.
So, the power of the electron beam is 1.5 kilowatts (kW). Understanding these limitations and calculations ensures the safe and effective use of X-ray technology in medical and industrial applications.