Why no Compton with Potoelectric effect?

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In general, both processes (photoelectric and Compton) are possible. The relative probabilities vary with photon energy and the target material. For example, see the graphs on page 22 of:In summary, the photoelectric effect results in all the energy of the photon being absorbed in freeing the electron and giving it kinetic energy. However, there can also be atomic x-ray photons emitted from the target atom after a deep core photoejection, representing atomic transitions filling the vacancy in the K, L, or M shell. This differs from Compton scattering, where there is no direct instantaneous secondary photon. The relative probabilities for these processes vary with photon energy and the target material, as shown in the graphs on page 22 of the provided
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In the photoelectric effect all the energy of the photon is considered to be absorbed in both freeing the electron and giving it Kinetic energy. But why can’t there be a lower frequency photon left over or residual energy absorbed by the material from which the electron came?
 
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trizz10 said:
In the photoelectric [deep core photoejection] effect all the energy of the photon is considered to be absorbed in both freeing the electron and giving it Kinetic energy. But why can’t there be a lower frequency photon left over or residual energy absorbed by the material from which the electron came?
There are always atomic x-ray photons emitted from the target atom after a deep core photoejection. They represent atomic transitions filling the vacancy in the K, L, or M shell. Unlike Compton scattering, there is no direct instantaneous secondary photon.

Bob S
 

FAQ: Why no Compton with Potoelectric effect?

1. Why can't Compton effect and Photoelectric effect occur simultaneously?

The Compton effect and Photoelectric effect are two different phenomena that involve the interaction of photons with matter. The Compton effect involves the scattering of photons by free electrons, whereas the Photoelectric effect involves the absorption of photons by bound electrons. These two processes cannot occur simultaneously because they require different types of interactions between photons and electrons.

2. Can the Compton effect and Photoelectric effect coexist in the same material?

No, the Compton effect and Photoelectric effect cannot coexist in the same material. This is because the energy of a photon determines which process will occur. If the energy of the photon is high enough, it will cause the Compton effect. If the energy is low, it will cause the Photoelectric effect. Therefore, only one of these processes can occur at a time in a given material.

3. Why does the Photoelectric effect dominate at low photon energies?

The Photoelectric effect dominates at low photon energies because it requires less energy for an electron to be ejected from its bound state in an atom. This energy is known as the binding energy, and it varies for different materials. If the energy of the photon is not high enough to overcome the binding energy, then the Photoelectric effect will occur rather than the Compton effect.

4. Is it possible for the Compton effect and Photoelectric effect to occur in different materials within the same experiment?

Yes, it is possible for the Compton effect and Photoelectric effect to occur in different materials within the same experiment. This is because different materials have different binding energies, which means that the energy of the photon needed to cause the Compton effect or Photoelectric effect may vary from material to material. Therefore, in an experiment involving multiple materials, both effects may be observed.

5. Can the Compton effect and Photoelectric effect be explained by the same theory?

No, the Compton effect and Photoelectric effect cannot be explained by the same theory. The Compton effect is correctly described by Einstein's theory of relativity, whereas the Photoelectric effect is better explained by the quantum theory of light. These two theories are fundamentally different and cannot be used interchangeably to explain these two phenomena.

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