What does elastic scattering mean in electron, neutron and photon diffraction?

[saphyni]

Hi,

In electron, neutron or photon diffraction from an atom,what does it mean when we say the waves scatter elastically from the atoms? What is an elastic scattering?

Thanks,

 

[tiny-tim]

hi saphyni!

"elastic" means that energy is conserved, as in an elastic collision …

see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_scattering" ​