Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Energy and momentum of a photon

Energy and momentum of a photon — practice question

(a)[1]

State the meaning of a photon.

(b(i))[2]

Indium-123 ($^{123}_{49}\text{In}$) is radioactive. A nucleus of indium-123 emits a $\gamma$-ray photon with energy $1.1\,\text{MeV}$. Determine the frequency of this $\gamma$-radiation.

(b(ii))[2]

Determine the photon's momentum.

(c)[2]

Before the $\gamma$-ray photon is emitted, the indium-123 nucleus is at rest. Use your answer in (b)(ii) to estimate the nucleus’s recoil speed after the photon has been emitted.

Worked solution & mark scheme

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