Compton Effect: Electromagnetic Interaction with Electrons

[blackmatters]

Here's what I know... the xray hits an electron and the electron goes of at some angle, with the xray deflecting the other way. I was curious if a certain portion of the electric versus the magnetic waves are transferred into the electron for momentum and another portion for the new(is it a new wavelength that comes out after the collision?) wave that goes off the other way.

So example... I know that Elec. and Mag waves run in perpendicular form as they go through space, but does, say, only the magnetic affect the electrons movement? Do both waves interact with the electron? Thanks!

*edit* I know this effect is 'quantum' but I thought my question was more EM related, hence the post here... sorry if its not correct, though.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Yes, both electromagnetic waves interact with the electron. In fact, according to the theory of quantum mechanics, the electron interacts with both electric and magnetic fields via their respective forces. The force that is exerted by the electromagnetic field on the electron depends on the strength of the field, as well as the charge of the electron. When an electromagnetic wave collides with an electron, it causes the electron to change its direction and speed, and a new wave is emitted in the opposite direction. This new wave has a different frequency and wavelength than the original wave.

 

[GSXR750]

The Compton Effect is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics that explains the interaction between electromagnetic radiation (such as x-rays) and matter (in this case, electrons). It was first discovered by Arthur Compton in 1923 and has since been extensively studied and applied in various fields, such as medicine and material science.

In simple terms, the Compton Effect occurs when a high-energy photon (such as an x-ray) collides with an electron. The photon transfers some of its energy to the electron, causing it to recoil and move in a different direction. The scattered photon also has a lower energy and a longer wavelength compared to the original photon.

To answer your question about the transfer of energy and momentum from the electromagnetic wave to the electron, it is important to understand that both the electric and magnetic fields play a role in the interaction. The electric field exerts a force on the electron, causing it to accelerate, while the magnetic field can change the direction of the electron's motion.

In the Compton Effect, the electron absorbs some of the energy from the photon, which increases its momentum. The remaining energy is carried away by the scattered photon, which has a longer wavelength. This phenomenon is known as inelastic scattering, as the scattered photon has less energy than the incident photon.

It is also worth noting that the Compton Effect is a quantum phenomenon, meaning it cannot be fully explained by classical physics. In the quantum world, the behavior of particles, such as electrons, is described by the principles of wave-particle duality, which means they can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior. Therefore, the interaction between the electromagnetic wave and the electron is more complex than just the transfer of energy and momentum.

In conclusion, both the electric and magnetic fields of the electromagnetic wave play a role in the Compton Effect, and the electron absorbs some of the energy and momentum from the incident photon. This results in the scattered photon having a longer wavelength, which can be observed as a shift in the x-ray spectrum. I hope this helps clarify your understanding of the Compton Effect.