Calculating Energy of Scattered Photon in Compton Effect

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the energy of a scattered photon in the context of the Compton effect, specifically when the energy of the incident photon equals the rest energy of an electron. Participants explore the relationship between the angle of the recoiling electron and the angle of the scattered photon.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to relate the angle between the recoiling electron and the incident photon to the angle between the scattered photon and the incident photon.
  • Another suggests deriving the solution from conservation of energy and momentum in relativistic mechanics, referencing external resources like HyperPhysics.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about whether the derivation for the Compton effect can be applied in this scenario.
  • A participant mentions that the relation they found is specifically for the angle of the scattered photon, not the recoiling electron, raising concerns about how to proceed.
  • Momentum conservation is discussed, with one participant providing a mathematical expression relating the momenta before and after the interaction.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of information regarding the energy of the recoiling electron and how to calculate it, leading to questions about the feasibility of finding a solution.
  • Several participants express frustration about being stuck in their calculations and seek alternative approaches to the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the approach to solve the problem, with multiple competing views on how to relate the angles and calculate the necessary quantities. The discussion remains unresolved, with ongoing uncertainty about the applicability of various methods.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the definitions of angles and momenta, as well as the unresolved nature of the energy of the recoiling electron, which complicates the calculations.

nelufar
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How to calculate energy of scattered photon when the energy of incident photon is equal to the rest energy of an electron and the angle between the direction of the recoiling electron and the incident photon is 40 degrees?
In compton effect the energy of scattered photon is related to angle
between the scattered photon and the incident photon. How to relate the angle between the direction of the recoiling electron and the incident photon and angle between the scattered photon and the incident photon?
 
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Derive this from conservation of energy and momentum in relativistic mechanics. Or look it up. I know it is on HyperPhysics.
 
Can't we use derivation for Compton effect?
 
I tried solving the problem using relativistic approach but there also the relation is for angle of the scattered photon not for angle of recoiling electron.So,can there be any other way to solve it.
 
Momentum is conserved. The transverse component was zero before the interaction, so theta and phi are related by
[tex]0 = \frac{h}{\lambda '} \sin \theta - p_e \sin \phi[/tex]
 
But we only know the energy of the incident photon and rest mass of electron. Recoiling electron will also have energy which is not given.So how to calculate P_e and what about /theta?
 
Is there no solution to the problem? Can there be any other approach to solve it?
 
nelufar said:
Is there no solution to the problem? Can there be any other approach to solve it?
This looks like a homework problem, so of course there is a solution.
You just need to work on it a bit.
 
  • #10
I have tried a lot but the equation which you have provided, I got stuck there. So, if you can help , it would be really helpful. Atleast tell me can there be some other approach which probably I am not thinking of.
 
  • #11
I referred you to HyperPhysics. Momentum is conserved so
[tex]\vec{p_i} = \vec{p}_f + \vec{p_e} \Leftrightarrow \vec{p}_f= \vec{p_i}-\vec{p_e}[/tex]

[tex]p_f^2 = p_i^2 + p_e^2 - 2\ p_i\ p_e \cos{\phi}.[/tex]
That is how you can get it as a function of the electron angle, I think.
If you now proceed along similar lines as Nave, I think you should get there.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Pieter Kuiper said:
I referred you to HyperPhysics. Momentum is conserved so
[tex]\vec{p_i} = \vec{p}_f + \vec{p_e} \Leftrightarrow \vec{p}_f= \vec{p_i}-\vec{p_e}[/tex]

[tex]p_f^2 = p_i^2 + p_e^2 - 2\ p_i\ p_e \cos{\phi}.[/tex]
That is how you can get it as a function of the electron angle, I think.
If you now proceed along similar lines as Nave, I think you should get there.

Thanks. I will try with this.
 

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