Determination of scattering angle.

[taylrl3]

Hi,

When two particles collide in the centre of mass frame, they interact and then scatter. Am I right in thinking that the resultant scattering angles are completely arbitrary? If so is this a case of an effect with no cause? Just hoping someone can clear this up for me.

Many thanks!

 

[Bill_K]

The scattered wave has a probability distribution in θ, so you're right that when you detect an outgoing particle, its scattering angle will be random. Not a case of "an effect with no cause", however, it's just typical quantum mechanics.

 

[taylrl3]

Thanks for the response!

It is just typical quantum mechanics. I guess my question comes from my struggle to accept that anything is completely random.

Not sure I can remember the undergrad proof of why things can be random. I should go and look it up!

Could you say that the angle was somehow dependent upon tau?