Compton Scattering in Laymen's terms

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Compton scattering describes the interaction between photons and electrons, where photons can transfer energy to electrons, resulting in a change in the photon's wavelength. In this discussion, Stephen seeks clarification on whether a photon must have energy precisely equal to an electron's energy state for absorption to occur. The consensus indicates that while photons can lose all their energy, they cannot lose a portion of it during absorption, which contrasts with the principles of Compton scattering where partial energy transfer is possible.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with the photoelectric effect
  • Knowledge of energy states in atoms
  • Basic concepts of photon-electron interactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of Compton scattering in detail
  • Explore the photoelectric effect and its implications
  • Investigate energy state transitions in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about photon energy calculations and their applications
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators explaining quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the interactions between light and matter.

StephenP91
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
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.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
9K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K