- #1
AxiomOfChoice
- 533
- 1
Can someone *please* explain what a "differential (scattering) cross-section" is?
I've tried and tried and tried to wrap my head around what this really is, and to develop some physical intuition about it, but I just can't do it. Can someone please explain what the "differential cross-section," or "scattering cross-section," or "differential scattering cross-section" is? It's usually abbreviated in textbooks by [itex]\frac{d\sigma}{d\Omega}[/itex]. What the hell does it TELL us about the physical situation we're considering? Why does it really MATTER?
Thanks!
I've tried and tried and tried to wrap my head around what this really is, and to develop some physical intuition about it, but I just can't do it. Can someone please explain what the "differential cross-section," or "scattering cross-section," or "differential scattering cross-section" is? It's usually abbreviated in textbooks by [itex]\frac{d\sigma}{d\Omega}[/itex]. What the hell does it TELL us about the physical situation we're considering? Why does it really MATTER?
Thanks!