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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the scattering of photons and the implications for recoiling electrons, specifically in the context of a photon being scattered at an angle of 180 degrees. Participants are exploring the energy dynamics involved in this scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand whether a photon scattered at 180 degrees implies no energy for the recoiling electrons. They reference a mathematical relationship involving wavelength change and question the consistency of their reasoning. Other participants engage by questioning the correctness of the original poster's assumptions and calculations, particularly regarding the implications of the angle on scattering.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing clarifications and corrections to the original poster's understanding. There is an exploration of the mathematical relationships involved, and some participants are questioning the definitions and implications of scattering at specific angles.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of a formal homework template in the original post, which may indicate constraints in how the problem is being approached. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the definitions and implications of scattering angles in the context of photon interactions.

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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