- #1
Ed Aboud
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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