Question

which of the following statements about x-rays is correct? they a. have very low frequency. b. have long wave length. c. cause certain materials to fluorescence. d. are affected by electric fields.

Explanation:

• Option A: X - rays are electromagnetic waves with high frequency, not low frequency. So A is incorrect.
• Option B: X - rays have short wavelengths (since frequency \(f\) and wavelength \(\lambda\) are related by \(c = f\lambda\), and high frequency implies short wavelength for electromagnetic waves with speed \(c\) in vacuum). So B is incorrect.
• Option C: X - rays can cause certain materials to fluoresce. This is a known property of X - rays, for example, in X - ray fluorescence spectroscopy or in the operation of some X - ray imaging devices where certain phosphors fluoresce when exposed to X - rays.
• Option D: X - rays are electromagnetic waves, and electromagnetic waves are not deflected by electric fields (or magnetic fields) because they do not consist of charged particles (the electric and magnetic fields in an electromagnetic wave oscillate and propagate without the need for charged particles to carry them). So D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. cause certain materials to fluorescence.