Does Recoiling Electrons Have 0 Energy When Photon is Scattered 180°?

AI Thread Summary
When a photon is scattered at 180 degrees, it is indeed still considered scattering, contrary to the initial assumption that it implies no scattering. The energy of recoiling electrons is not zero; rather, the change in wavelength is calculated using the formula involving Planck's constant, electron mass, and the speed of light. At 180 degrees, the correct change in wavelength is actually 2h/(m_ec), indicating that the photon is deflected back in the direction of the incident photon. The discussion highlights the importance of correctly interpreting the scattering angle and its implications on energy and wavelength. Understanding these concepts is crucial for solving related homework problems effectively.
MostlyHarmless
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I'm pretty sure this is a fairly obvious question, but I can't ever be sure..

So, if a photon is "scattered" 180 degrees. Its not being scattered at all, correct? So, then the energy of the "recoiling electrons" would be 0.

It makes sense mathematically if I'm doing it right.

##{\lambda}_2-{\lambda}_1={\frac{h}{m_ec}}(1-cos{\theta})##

##h## is Planck's constant, ##m_e## is electron mass, c, speed of light. If theta is 180, change is wavelength is 0, so then there is no scattering? Is the all consistent?

The reason I'm so hesitant, is because this is a homework problem, and the only one assigned dealing with recoiling electrons, so I figured it would be... less trivial.Note: Excuse the lack of homework template, I'm posting this off of my phone, which does not give me the template.
 
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MostlyHarmless said:
So, if a photon is "scattered" 180 degrees. Its not being scattered at all, correct?

Not correct.


MostlyHarmless said:
So, then the energy of the "recoiling electrons" would be 0.

It makes sense mathematically if I'm doing it right.

##{\lambda}_2-{\lambda}_1={\frac{h}{m_ec}}(1-cos{\theta})##

##h## is Planck's constant, ##m_e## is electron mass, c, speed of light. If theta is 180, change is wavelength is 0, so then there is no scattering?

What is cos(180)?
 
>.< Doh. That's what I get for just punching it my calculator and then not writing it down.

hen it says, 180, its "scattering" back in the direction if the incident photon?

So the change in wave length should be ##2h/(m_ec)##?
 
Right. The angle ##\theta## is the angle by which the photon is deflected.
 
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