The origin of X-ray solar bursts is investigated on the basis of the theoretical model developed by Syrovatskii. According to this model (i) one of the most important manifestations of flares is the acceleration of charged particles (mainly of electrons) to subrelativistic and relativistic energies, and (ii) the two flare phases: stationary (soft) and nonstationary (hard) should be distinguished. The first phase is accompanied by the generation of the soft (2-8/~) thermal X-rays and the second one by the generation of hard thermal and nonthermal X-rays in the ~> 10 keV range. The thermal X-rays arise in both phases due to the heating of the ambient gas by accelerated particles. The possible mechanisms of non-thermal X-rays are investigated. Simple models of the emitting region are considered, taking into account the simultaneous observations in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The influence of Coulomb collisions in two-component plasma on the nuclear composition and the charge-state of accelerated particles is investigated. The main characteristics are the location and value of the two loss maxima. It is shown that the maximum of energy losses on the electron component of plasma for flares is a high energy threshold which prevents the penetration of a large particle flux into the range ~> 10 MeV nucl -I. The low-energy range up to the maximum is considered in detail. At preliminary or initial stage of acceleration the nuclear composition of accelerated particles is strongly dependent on their energy losses on the proton component of plasma which prevails at low energies. The conditions under which the equilibrium charge is reached are investigated.

The formation of power-law energy spectrum of particles accelerated in solar flares is investigated. The distinct difference between the mechanism and the model of acceleration is pointed out. It is shown that Fermi's model is described by linear differential equation of the first order and therefore a power-law spectrum is formed only for some special conditions which apparently are not fulfilled for flares. A satisfactory alternative to Fermi's model hasn't yet been found. In conclusion the connection between the mechanism of acceleration and a charge spectrum of accelerated particles is examined.

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