Photoelectric effect with free electrons.

[Ed Aboud]

Homework Statement

Is it possible for a gamma ray to interact with a free electron by mean of the photoelectric effect?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not really sure. I think the answer is no simply because of the mechanics of the photoelectric effect, i.e the fact that when an electron interacts with a photon it undergoes a transition from one energy level to a higher one which can be described by its work function. And since it is a free electron that we are discussing, it can't undergo a transition from one energy level to a higher one (I think, sorry I'm not well educated on the free electron model).

Am I correct?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ed

 

[rock.freak667]

If by 'free electron' it means just an electron somehow in space just floating, then I'd say no.

Photoelectric effect is for metals