How Is the Maximum Energy Transfer Determined in a Photon-Electron Collision?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Quelsita
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collision
AI Thread Summary
In a photon-electron collision, the maximum energy transfer to the electron occurs when energy conservation is applied, equating the energy lost by the photon to the energy gained by the electron. The initial photon energy is given as Ei=2.4E3 eV, and the Compton wavelength formula can be used to analyze the energy changes. The challenge arises in determining the final energy of the photon without knowing the angle of deflection. Assuming symmetric scattering simplifies the calculations, but the discussion indicates that this assumption may not apply in this scenario. Understanding the relationship between the angle of deflection and energy transfer is crucial for accurate calculations.
Quelsita
Messages
41
Reaction score
0
A photon of initial energy Ei=2.4E3 eV collides with a free electron, initially stationary. What is the maximum energy that the electron can acquire in this collision?

-we know that conservation of energy requires that the Kinetic energy of the eletron gained must equal that lost by the photon so
(delta)Ephoton=(delta)Eelectron

I considered finding the final energy using
(delta)lambda=(h/mec)(1-cos(theta)) where =(h/mec) is the compton wavelength=0.02426A
which can be rearranged
hc/(delta)E=(0.02426A)(1-cos(theta))

My question is, how do we find the final energy of the photon without knowing the angle of deflection? Or can we assume that the electron and photon both move in opposite directions?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
OK, I just read over another problem which specifically mentions symmetric scattering so I'm assuming that is not the case here.
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Is there a limit on how much energy a photon might have in a FOR?
Replies
10
Views
834
Compton Collision: Photon & Electron 180° Scatter, 30keV Energy
Replies
1
Views
2K
Can an Electron Be Observed in a Light Microscope?
Replies
10
Views
1K
Kinetic energy and velocity of electron after compton scatte
Replies
1
Views
4K
Compton Scattering Homework: Wavelength & Angle Calculation
Replies
3
Views
3K
Wave Particle Duality For Electrons and Photons
Replies
2
Views
2K
What is the maximum energy that the electron can obtain?
Replies
1
Views
4K
Photoelectric effect and Compton scattering
Replies
5
Views
3K
Photon Energy that can Produce an Electronic Transition
Replies
3
Views
2K
Elastic collision between a photon and an electron
Replies
14
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top