- #1
Coop
- 40
- 0
Hi,
My textbook describes Compton scattering the following way:
"...an x-ray photon...has a collision with a slow moving electron...the photon transfers energy and momentum to the electron [and recoils]..."
Is it not true that by definition when a photon collides with a particle it donates its energy in an all or none fashion depending on the particle's energy levels? I don't get how this x-ray photon is capable of only donating SOME of its energy.
Any help?
Thanks,
Cooper
My textbook describes Compton scattering the following way:
"...an x-ray photon...has a collision with a slow moving electron...the photon transfers energy and momentum to the electron [and recoils]..."
Is it not true that by definition when a photon collides with a particle it donates its energy in an all or none fashion depending on the particle's energy levels? I don't get how this x-ray photon is capable of only donating SOME of its energy.
Any help?
Thanks,
Cooper