SBA — Single Best Answer · Review
Question 595
Biophysics → General
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
An X-ray photon transfers part of its energy to an orbital electron as it passes through matter. Which combination describes the subsequent change in the X-ray?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
Its frequency increases and its velocity decreases
B
Its frequency remains unchanged and its velocity increases
C
Its frequency increases while its velocity remains unchanged
D
Its frequency and velocity both decrease
E
Its frequency decreases while its velocity remains unchanged
Explanation
X-rays and gamma rays can transfer energy to electrons and cause ionisation. Following energy transfer, the radiation continues with reduced frequency; for X-rays, velocity remains unchanged.
Option Validity
A) The frequency decreases rather than increases, and X-ray velocity remains unchanged.
B) The frequency does not remain unchanged after the described energy transfer.
C) Although velocity remains unchanged, frequency decreases rather than increases.
D) The frequency decreases, but X-ray velocity remains unchanged.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 9: Biophysics, pp.278–279.