Which of the following is a by-product of photoelectric absorption?

• A. Emission of an electron from the material
• B. Formation of alpha particles
• C. Production of positrons
• D. Release of neutrons

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of photoelectric absorption: it is a process where a photon (usually an X-ray or gamma ray) is completely absorbed by an atom, resulting in the ejection of an electron from the material.
2. Recall that in photoelectric absorption, the energy of the incoming photon is transferred to an electron, which overcomes the binding energy and is emitted from the atom. This emitted electron is called a photoelectron.
3. Recognize that the by-product of this process is the emission of an electron, not the formation of alpha particles, positrons, or neutrons, which are unrelated to photoelectric absorption.
4. Note that alpha particles are helium nuclei emitted in radioactive decay, positrons are antimatter electrons produced in certain nuclear reactions, and neutrons are neutral particles found in the nucleus; none of these are produced by photoelectric absorption.
5. Conclude that the correct by-product of photoelectric absorption is the emission of an electron from the material.