As photon energy decreases, the probability of a photoelectric absorption interaction will?

In the context of photon interactions with matter, the photoelectric effect is highly dependent on the energy of the incoming photons. As photon energy decreases, the likelihood of photoelectric absorption actually increases, particularly when considering the relationship between photon energy and the atomic number of the absorbing material.

The phenomenon can be understood through the principle that lower energy photons are more likely to be absorbed by the electrons of an atom since they can be compatible with the energy transitions available in inner-shell electrons. In materials with higher atomic numbers, there are more tightly bound electrons that react to these lower-energy photons. As photon energy decreases, these more favorable conditions increase the probability of photoelectric absorption because the photons can be absorbed effectively when they align closely with the energy thresholds of electron shells in the material.

The other options do not align with this understanding of the relationship between photon energy and absorption probabilities in the photoelectric effect. As a result, choosing the correct answer demonstrates an understanding of how photon energy influences specific interactions in a radiologic context.