Final answer:
X-rays have no mass and are electrically neutral. Characteristic x-rays are specific to the anode material and have distinct energies. X-rays are generally less energetic than gamma rays.
Step-by-step explanation:
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that lie at the high-frequency end of an atom's spectrum. They have no mass and are electrically neutral.
Characteristic x-rays are produced when electrons from an x-ray tube interact with the atoms of the anode material. These x-rays have specific energies and are characteristic of the anode material. They are different from gamma rays, which are high-energy photons emitted during nuclear processes. X-rays are generally less energetic than gamma rays.
To summarize, x-rays have no mass and are electrically neutral. Characteristic x-rays are specific to the anode material and have distinct energies. X-rays are generally less energetic than gamma rays.