Can a photon with energy greater than energy level difference of atom.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the absorption of photons by atoms, specifically addressing whether a photon with energy greater than the energy level difference of an atom can be absorbed and if it can share part of its energy while retaining some for itself. The scope includes theoretical considerations and implications related to atomic energy levels and photon interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if a photon with energy greater than the energy level difference of an atom can be absorbed and if it can share part of its energy while retaining some.
  • Another participant references Compton scattering as a relevant phenomenon, suggesting further research into "Compton bound electron."
  • A participant raises a concern about the implications when the wavelength of the photon is not short, such as in the case of X-rays, indicating that different assumptions may apply.
  • It is noted that if the wavelength is not short, the binding energy cannot be assumed to be small compared to the photon energy, complicating the mathematical treatment of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the absorption of photons with energies exceeding atomic energy level differences, and the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in assumptions regarding binding energy and photon energy, indicating that the complexity of the mathematics increases with longer wavelengths.

fxdung
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Can a photon with energy greater than energy level difference of atom be absorbed by atom?Is there any case in that photon share a part of energy for atom and keep other part of energy for itself?
 
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Are you familiar with Compton scattering? Google for “Compton bound electron”
 
But when the wave leng of photon not short as X-ray then what does it happen?
 
fxdung said:
But when the wave leng of photon not short as X-ray then what does it happen?
Then you cannot make the simplifying assumption that the binding energy is small compared with the photon energy, and the math gets more complicated. That’s why I suggested that you include the word “bound” in the search - that will find some papers that cover this complication.
 

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