Which factors influence photoelectric interaction?

The photoelectric interaction is primarily influenced by two key factors: the atomic number (Z) of the material and the energy (E) of the incident photons. The likelihood of a photoelectric effect occurring increases significantly with an increase in atomic number, as higher Z materials have a greater number of electrons that can interact with incoming photons. This relationship is typically represented as proportional to Z raised to the power of 3 (Z^3).

Additionally, the probability of photoelectric interactions is inversely related to the energy of the incoming photons, specifically demonstrating an inverse cube relationship, where the interaction probability decreases as the photon energy increases, typically represented as 1/E³.

Combining these two principles, photoelectric interaction probability is thus expressed as being proportional to Z^3 and 1/E³, making this the correct response. This understanding is crucial for those working in radiology and medical imaging, as it impacts the choice of materials and energies used in various imaging techniques.