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

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SUMMARY

The maximum energy transfer in a photon-electron collision is determined by the conservation of energy principle, where the change in energy of the photon equals the change in kinetic energy of the electron. In this case, a photon with an initial energy of 2.4E3 eV collides with a stationary electron. The Compton wavelength formula, Δλ = (h/mec)(1 - cos(θ)), is utilized to analyze the energy transfer, but the angle of deflection θ is crucial for determining the final energy of the photon. Without this angle, assumptions about the scattering symmetry cannot be made definitively.

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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!
 
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OK, I just read over another problem which specifically mentions symmetric scattering so I'm assuming that is not the case here.
 

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