How Does Compton Scattering Affect Photon Wavelength in the Sun?

AI Thread Summary
Compton scattering significantly affects photon wavelengths as they travel from the sun's core to its surface. Gamma-ray photons produced through nuclear fusion have initial wavelengths around 1.2 picometers, while the visible light photons observed at the surface have wavelengths of about 500 nanometers. The discussion revolves around estimating the average increase in wavelength per scattering event, considering that photons undergo approximately 10^26 scattering events. The calculation involves using the Compton scattering equation to determine the change in wavelength from the core to the surface. Understanding this process is crucial for grasping how energy transformations occur in stellar environments.
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Homework Statement


Nuclear fusion reactions at the center of the sun produce gamma - ray photons with energies of about 1 MeV (10^6 eV). By contrast, what we see emanating from the sun's surface are visible light photons with wavelengths of about 500nm. A simple model that explains this difference in wavelength is that a photon undergoes compton scattering many times, in fact 10^26 times, as suggested of the solar interior, as it travels from the center of the sun to its surface.
Estimate the increase in wavelength of a photon in an average compton - scattering event.

The Attempt at a Solution


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I'm not exactly sure what they mean by increase in wavelength what I did was calculate the wavelength using,
E = \frac{ hc }{ lambda } solving for lambda I got 1.2*10^-12m. But, I don't think it's that easy. So what is this initially asking?
I'm thinking that it's asking for the average wavelength but not sure that lambda prime is, if I have that I can use the compton scattering equation, right?

I think I just answered my own question haha, the other wavelength is 500nm, so now I can subtract and use the compton scattering right? :P
 
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The photon has an initial wavelength in the core of the Sun, and a final wavelength at its surface. It undergoes a given number of scattering events. What is the average change in the wavelength per event?
 
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