Henry Moseley studied characteristic X-ray spectra of elements. The graph which represents his observation correctly is:

(Given: = Frequency of X-ray emitted, = Atomic number)

Question

Henry Moseley studied characteristic X-ray spectra of elements. The graph which represents his observation correctly is:

(Given:  = Frequency of X-ray emitted,  = Atomic number)

Canvas Classes · Accepted Answer

🧠 Moseley's law is linear in , not in 
Moseley found that . Plot  on the y-axis and  on the x-axis — you get a straight line.
![image](https://pub-2ff04ffcdd1247b6b8d19c44c1dfe553.r2.dev/shared/image/1777189469742Mosleysexperimentsb53276a2.webp)
🗺️ Read the graph
A plot of  vs  is curved because . Only when you take the square root does the curve straighten out. So option (3) —  vs , linear — matches Moseley's equation exactly.

⚠️ Common mistake
Many students confuse the axes. Notice the y-ax

More questions from Classification of Elements and Periodicity

More questions from Classification of Elements and Periodicity