Compton Scattering in Laymen's terms

AI Thread Summary
Compton scattering involves the interaction between photons and electrons, where photons can lose energy during the collision. When a photon is absorbed by an electron, the energy must match one of the electron's energy states to excite it; otherwise, the photon cannot be absorbed. If the energy is less than the ionization energy, the photon cannot ionize the atom or elevate the electron to a higher state. The confusion arises from the distinction between complete absorption and scattering, where photons can lose energy without being fully absorbed. Understanding these concepts clarifies the mechanisms of photon-electron interactions in physics.
StephenP91
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I just need an explanation of this. Found it in a question. :smile:

Also, photons when absorb by an electron in an atom, does the energy (if less than the ionisation energy) have to be exactly equivalent to one of the energy states and if it isn't what happens?

You probably think I suck at Physics. You're right. :frown:

Thank you,
Stephen.
 
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Umm... you really haven't given us (me) any reason to think you suck at physics :confused:

StephenP91 said:
Also, photons when absorb by an electron in an atom, does the energy (if less than the ionisation energy) have to be exactly equivalent to one of the energy states and if it isn't what happens?
To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure what that's trying to say.
 
diazona said:
To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure what that's trying to say.

Well, in the Photoelectric effect, when electrons get excited to a higher energy level when they attain some sort of energy. In the case of absorbing a photon, does the requisite energy (hf) have to be equal to the energy of one of the energy states.

The reason I ask this is because, on the marking scheme, one of the answers is that:

"A photon can lose all of it's energy, but not part of it"

Though, when I was reading about that Compton Effect I read something about absorbing part of it. So I am pretty darn confused.
 
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