Compton effect and visible light

In summary, the Compton effect using visible light is extremely difficult to observe because visible light does not have a short enough wavelength to excite electrons. This is due to the fact that visible light is much less energetic than the rest energy of electrons, resulting in a negligible change in wavelength and lack of sufficient energy to excite the electrons.
  • #1
UrbanXrisis
1,196
1
why is it extremely dificult to observe the compton effect using visible light?

is it because visible light does not have a short enough wavelenght to excite the electrons?
 
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  • #2
Compton scattering becomes noticable when the energy of the light is comparable to the rest energy of the electron (~511 keV, hard X-rays). Visible light is much less energetic than this (~few eV), so the scattering process can conserve energy and momentum without a significant change in the wavelength of the photon.
 
  • #3
does wavelength tell you the energy?
 
  • #4
UrbanXrisis said:
does wavelength tell you the energy?

Yes. For a photon,

[tex]E=h\nu=\frac{hc}{\lambda}[/tex]
 
  • #5
so my assumption that visible light does not have a short enough wavelenght to excite the electrons is correct? since thei wavelenght is long, making energy low, hence, not enough eV to excite the electron?
 
  • #6
UrbanXrisis said:
so my assumption that visible light does not have a short enough wavelenght to excite the electrons is correct? since thei wavelenght is long, making energy low, hence, not enough eV to excite the electron?

The electron can receive both energy and momentum from a visible photon, but both would be just a tiny fraction of its rest energy. But yes, that's basically right.
 

What is the Compton effect?

The Compton effect, also known as Compton scattering, is a phenomenon in which a photon (particle of light) loses energy during a collision with an electron. This results in a shift in the photon's wavelength, causing it to appear bluer.

How does the Compton effect relate to visible light?

The Compton effect is a fundamental property of light and occurs with all wavelengths of light, including visible light. This means that visible light can also be affected by the Compton effect, causing changes in its wavelength and color.

What is the significance of the Compton effect in physics?

The Compton effect was a crucial discovery in understanding the dual nature of light as both a wave and a particle. It also provided evidence for the existence of photons and helped to develop the field of quantum mechanics.

Can the Compton effect be observed in everyday life?

The Compton effect is a very small-scale phenomenon and is not typically observable in everyday life. However, it is used in various scientific fields, such as medical imaging, to study the properties of light and its interactions with matter.

Are there any practical applications of the Compton effect?

Yes, the Compton effect has several practical applications, including medical imaging techniques like CT scans and PET scans, as well as in materials testing and nuclear physics research.

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