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Biophysics & Medical Physics FAQ

PET scanning detects:

Pairs of 511 keV photons from positron–electron annihilation. PET (Positron Emission Tomography): positrons from isotope decay annihilate with electrons, producing coincident 511 keV γ-pairs detected and localised.

Short Answer

Pairs of 511 keV photons from positron–electron annihilation is the best answer.

Biophysics questions work best when you translate anatomy or instrumentation back into plain physics: pressure gradients, flow, diffusion, energy deposition, imaging contrast, and signal-to-noise.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography): positrons from isotope decay annihilate with electrons, producing coincident 511 keV γ-pairs detected and localised.

Why This Answer Is Correct

This is a Medium-level question in Biophysics & Medical Physics. The prompt is really testing whether you can connect the concept to its defining physical relationship instead of picking a nearby-but-wrong term.

Clinical wording can hide a simple physics core. Strip the scenario down to transport, force, energy, or measurement first.

Choices At A Glance

  • A. Reflected ultrasound
  • B. Pairs of 511 keV photons from positron–electron annihilation
  • C. Infrared emission from metabolism
  • D. Nuclear gamma ray emission only

When similar options appear on an exam, eliminate the ones that break the core law, use the wrong units, or confuse a definition with a consequence.

Topic Snapshot

Topic: Biophysics & Medical Physics

Difficulty: Medium

Best next move: Re-state the governing law in your own words, then solve one more example from the same topic before moving on.