In pair production, the type of photon used:

Correct answer: D. γ-radiations

  • A. α-particle
  • B. β-particle
  • C. X-rays
  • D. γ-radiations

Explanation

In pair production, a high-energy photon interacts with a nucleus to transform into a particle and its antiparticle, such as an electron and a positron. Gamma rays, being high-energy photons, possess the necessary energy for this process. Option A is incorrect because alpha particles are Helium nuclei, not photons. Option B is incorrect because beta particles are fast-moving electrons or positrons, not photons. Option C is incorrect because while X-rays are photons, they generally do not have sufficient energy for pair production unless they are exceedingly high energy. Option D is correct as gamma rays have sufficient energy to facilitate pair production.

This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2010 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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The particle model treats light as photons with energy E equals hf and momentum related to wavelength. Questions involve the photoelectric effect, work function, threshold frequency, stopping potential and photon energy, while distinguishing particle behaviour from the wave description of interference and diffraction.

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