What interaction occurs with an incident photon and an inner shell electron?

The photoelectric effect is the correct interaction that occurs between an incident photon and an inner shell electron. This phenomenon is characterized by the complete absorption of the photon’s energy by the inner shell electron, allowing the electron to be ejected from its shell.

In this process, the energy of the incoming photon must be greater than the binding energy of the inner shell electron; if this condition is met, the photon completely transfers its energy to the electron. This results in the emission of the electron from the atom, and any surplus energy becomes the kinetic energy of the emitted electron.

The photoelectric effect is significant in radiology because it contributes to the contrast seen in imaging, particularly in dense tissues, which absorb more photons. This interaction indicates that the material's atomic number is a crucial factor — higher atomic number materials have a higher probability of such an interaction due to their increased electron binding energies.

The other interactions mentioned are distinct from the photoelectric effect. The Compton effect involves the scattering of photons and partial transfer of energy to an outer shell electron, Bremsstrahlung refers to radiation produced when electrons are decelerated in materials, and characteristic radiation occurs when inner shell vacancies are filled by electrons from higher shells, resulting in the emission of photons with