Understanding the Compton Effect: Explaining Wavelength Change

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The Compton effect describes the change in wavelength of X-rays or gamma rays when they scatter off electrons. The formula for the wavelength change involves the initial wavelength, the mass of the electron, the speed of light, and the cosine of the scattering angle. Understanding this relationship is crucial for grasping how energy and momentum conservation principles apply in particle interactions. The discussion highlights the importance of the derivation found in the linked Wikipedia article for further clarity. Overall, the Compton effect illustrates fundamental concepts in quantum mechanics and particle physics.
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Can somebody please explain the Compton effect to me... I don't get how Compton came up with the wavelength after scattering - the initial wavelength = h/the mass of the electron*the speed of light*(1-cosine of the scattering angle). Thank you!
 
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good luck ...
 
thank you... that really helped!
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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