What is Elastic scattering: Definition and 26 Discussions

Elastic scattering is a form of particle scattering in scattering theory, nuclear physics and particle physics. In this process, the kinetic energy of a particle is conserved in the center-of-mass frame, but its direction of propagation is modified (by interaction with other particles and/or potentials). Furthermore, while the particle's kinetic energy in the center-of-mass frame is constant, its energy in the lab frame is not. Generally, elastic scattering describes a process in which the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved. During elastic scattering of high-energy subatomic particles, linear energy transfer (LET) takes place until the incident particle's energy and speed has been reduced to the same as its surroundings, at which point the particle is "stopped".

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  1. cemtu

    A Thomson - Rayleigh Scattering: Rotational & Vibrational Energy Levels

    We know from molecular spectroscopy that incoming light on a molecule can change a molecule's rotational, vibrational and electronic energy levels. If the incoming light is, on the far-infrared and microwave region the molecule gets rotational energy.(microwave spectra) on the near-infrared...
  2. Philip Koeck

    I Is elastic scattering of electrons by a solid possible?

    In electron microscopy of thin solid specimens elastic scattering is treated as the main process responsible for formation of (phase contrast) images and diffraction patterns. However, if an electron changes direction it should lose energy by producing a breaking radiation photon. How can it be...
  3. M

    Glancing Elastic Collision Questionnaire

    I was able to solve for the velocity of MB and got my answer as 4.47m/s. The main issue right now for me is how to get the angles. I'm really confused on what most people have been posting as we didn't get a groundwork on this topic and so most of the basics I had them self taught. So far I...
  4. amjad-sh

    I Why X-ray scattering in crystalline solids is elastic?

    Hello, I am wondering why in all X-ray diffraction experiments used to probe or know the crystal structure of the solid they assume that the scattering process is elastic, e.g, if an X-ray with wave vector ##k\vec{n}## is incident on a sample, it will diffract with a wave vector ##k\vec{n}'## of...
  5. O

    I Governing force and Neutron elastic scattering

    Hi, Which force does govern the neutron elastic scattering and capture reactions? It seems to me it is the strong nuclear force, but I am not sure about that.Thanks.
  6. JD_PM

    A What is the Vector Manipulation Formula for Elastic Scattering Angle?

    I was reading *Introduction to Nuclear Physics* by Krane and stumbled on the following (page 47): In Elastic scattering, the initial electron wave function is of the form ##e^{i k_i r}## (free particle of momentum ##p_i = \hbar k_i##). The scattered electron can also be regarded as a free...
  7. A

    A A Universal picture of hadron interactions?

    As far as I know, the total cross-sections of the following hadron interactions are well described by a single Reggeon trajectory and a single Pomeron (soft Pomeron) trajectory. ##K^-p: (11.93s^{0.0808}+25.33s^{-0.4525})mb## ##K^+p:(11.93s^{0.0808}+7.58s^{-0.4525})mb## ##\bar...
  8. A

    A Pp and pBARp scattering amplitudes

    Is A_pp(s,t)=A_pBARp(t,s) true based on crossing symmetry? Consider pp and pBARp elastic colissions (p + p -> p + p and p + BAR(p) -> p + BAR(p)). The scattering amplitudes are related by crossing in the following way: 1) A_pp(s,t)=A_pBARp(u,t) \simeq A_pBARp(-s-t,t) (energy large compared to...
  9. P

    What is the Fraction of Energy Lost by an Electron in Elastic Scattering?

    Homework Statement An electron collides with a particle with mass M at rest and scatters elastically through an angle θ (assume electron mass negligible). Show that the fraction of energy lost by the e- is: (Ee - Ee')/Ee = 1/[1+ Mc2/Ee(1-cosθ)] Homework Equations Conservation of Energy: Ee +...
  10. ORF

    What causes a plateau in the cross section of neutrons?

    Hello It seems to me that the nuclei have a flat elastic scattering cross section of neutrons, for neutron energies from eV to MeV. http://www.nuclear-power.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Elastic-Scattering-Cross-section-light-elements-min.png I thought that maybe it was caused because the...
  11. Y

    Partial width for elastic scattering

    Homework Statement A beam of neutrons hit a target of heavy nuclei with spin ##J_N = 0## with resonance when the energy of the incident beam is 250eV, in the cross section distribution with a maximum of 1300 barns. The width of the maximum is 20 eV. Find the partial width of resonance for the...
  12. M

    Elastic scattering of WIMPs off nuclei

    Hello, My problem is as follows I've tried differentiating to find the maximum and I've tried plotting E against m_{\chi} for a range of values and this did not suggest a maximum at m_N = m_{\chi}. Could someone explain why it is the case that the energy transfer is maximum when these masses...
  13. M

    Inelastic and elastic scattering and absorption.

    I have to write some training on the following and I really have no idea. Is this correct? Any help is greatly appreciated;) Inelastic scattering In inelastic scattering, a neutron collides with and is temporarily absorbed by the nucleus of the target particle. This excites the nucleus...
  14. H

    We can't have elastic scattering even theoretically

    Consider a photon which is scattered by a crystal elastically. In an elastic scattering we have |k_i|=|k_f| and k_f - k_i = G where G is a reciprocal vector. But according to momentum conservation, the crystal must obtain a momentum \hbar G and hence the kinetic energy, so according...
  15. M

    Cross-section for elastic scattering?

    Hi All, Following on from the last dumb question I asked... Suppose you calculate the tree-level approximation to the elastic scattering of two charged fermions to find that the result varies as ##\sim 1/t##, where t is the Mandelstam variable describing the squared momentum transfer in...
  16. C

    Elastic scattering and target recoil

    I understand that in elastic scattering, the incident particle leaves the interaction with the same magnitude of momentum it had initially. But, can there also be a target particle recoil in this case? If the kinetic energy of the incident particle is conserved, how does the target particle...
  17. K

    Question on Momentum/Energy transferred in photon Elastic scattering

    Hi. I am new to the forum, If I am missing something, please kindly remind me. Homework Statement Given/Known: - A photon with Energy Eγ, momentum pγ hit an atom with mass M. - The photon is perfectly elastic scattered at angle \theta Problem: Find recoil energy Homework Equations...
  18. Y

    Relativistic elastic scattering in CM and Breit frames

    Homework Statement Take the case of elastic scattering (A+B -> A+B); if particle A carries energy EA', and scatters at an angle θ, in the CM (center of mass/momentum frame), what is its energy in the Breit* frame? Find the velocity of the Breit frame (magnitude and direction) relative to the...
  19. S

    Elastic scattering of neutrons with hydrogen

    I am new to nuclear engg., i want to know the phenomenon of elastic scattering of neutrons. Resources available in the net suggest that in materials containing atoms of low atomic mass(hydrogen), neutrons of all energies can lose a significant fraction of their energy in a single elastic...
  20. M

    Solve Elastic Scattering: T, Zr & E(initial)

    Homework Statement Homework Equations T=2*(m*M/(m+M)^2)*E(initial)*(1-cos(angle)), T is transferred energy from the neutron to the target. displacement energy for Zr=40eV The Attempt at a Solution the question is strange for me it seems to me there is a trick since we don't...
  21. S

    Elastic Scattering: Definition & Explanation

    Hi, In electron, neutron or photon diffraction from an atom,what does it mean when we say the waves scatter elastically from the atoms? What is an elastic scattering? Thanks,
  22. D

    Neutron Energy after elastic scattering

    Homework Statement Verify the following equation \frac{E^{1}}{E}=(\frac{A-1}{A+1})^{2} Where A is the atomic mass of the target nucleus hit by an incoming neutron, E is the energy of the neutron before collision, and E^{1} is the energy of the neutron after collision. Please note that the...
  23. R

    Elastic scattering and momentum conservation

    Perhaps this question is silly, but I don't entirely understand how elastic scattering of photons is even possible given that the directions of the incident/scattered photon differ. If there is a change in direction of the photons momentum, then there must be some momentum transferred to the...
  24. W

    Difference in quasi elastic scattering and non elastic scattering

    hi, How do we differentiate between quasi elastic scattering and non elastic scattering? Was told that dynamic light scattering falls under the quasi elastic scattering... but it seems to me that light undergoing such scattering have its frequency shifted... this seems to me to be that...
  25. S

    Elastic Scattering: RT Experiments & Cooled Surfaces

    Hi guys: Under a large glancing angle, when the impinging molecules with a certain kinetic energy impact on an armophors surface, a certain amount of molecules can be scattered away from surface instead of sticking on the surface. So, people suggest that the surface phonons play a role...
  26. P

    Nuclear Interactions: Inelastic and elastic scattering

    I originally posted this in the homework section until I realized the homework section only covers through undergraduate courses. The course I am currently in is a graduate level Medical Physics course. So if you don't mind, here is the thread I posted in the homework section. I am...
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