Which of the following is deflected by electric field ?

Options

A. X-rays
B. `gamma-`rays
C. Neutrons
D. `alpha-`particles

Answer

To determine which of the following particles or rays is deflected by an electric field, we need to analyze the charge properties of each option. The deflection of a particle in an electric field is determined by the force acting on it, which is given by the formula:

\[ F = Q \times E \]

Where:
- \( F \) is the force,
- \( Q \) is the charge of the particle,
- \( E \) is the electric field strength.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Options**:
- We need to consider the particles or rays provided in the question. Common examples might include alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, neutrons, and x-rays.

2. **Determine the Charge of Each Particle**:
- **X-rays**: These are electromagnetic waves and have no charge (\( Q = 0 \)).
- **Gamma rays**: Similar to x-rays, they are also electromagnetic radiation and have no charge (\( Q = 0 \)).
- **Neutrons**: Neutrons are neutral particles and have no charge (\( Q = 0 \)).
- **Alpha particles**: These are positively charged particles consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. The charge of an alpha particle is \( +2e \) (where \( e \) is the charge of an electron).

3. **Calculate the Force for Each Particle**:
- For **x-rays**:
\[ F = 0 \times E = 0 \]
- For **gamma rays**:
\[ F = 0 \times E = 0 \]
- For **neutrons**:
\[ F = 0 \times E = 0 \]
- For **alpha particles**:
\[ F = (+2e) \times E = 2eE \]

4. **Analyze the Results**:
- The force on x-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons is zero, meaning they will not be deflected by the electric field.
- The alpha particle, having a positive charge, will experience a force \( 2eE \), which means it will be deflected by the electric field.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The only particle that will be deflected by the electric field is the **alpha particle**.

### Final Answer:
The particle that is deflected by the electric field is the **alpha particle**.