Photons can transfer energy to electrons in two distinct scenarios: when interacting with bound electrons in atoms, the entire energy of the photon is absorbed. In contrast, during interactions with free electrons, such as in the Compton effect, photons can transfer only a portion of their energy, resulting in the emission of lower-energy photons. This process is critical in understanding photon-electron interactions, particularly in gamma-ray physics, where the energy and momentum transfer is significant.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the interactions between photons and electrons, particularly in the context of particle physics and energy transfer phenomena.