Moderate

The process of scattering of an X-ray photon by an electron is called:

Correct answer: A. Compton effect

  • A. Compton effect
  • B. Photoelectric effect
  • C. Pair production
  • D. None of the above

Explanation

The process of scattering of an X-ray photon by an electron is called "Compton scattering" or "Compton effect." This phenomenon was discovered by American physicist Arthur H. Compton in 1923 and played a crucial role in confirming the particle-like nature of photons. In Compton scattering, an X-ray photon collides with an electron, resulting in a change in the wavelength and direction of the photon. This change is attributed to the photon transferring some of its energy and momentum to the electron. The scattered X-ray photon has a longer wavelength than the incident photon, and the angle of scattering depends on the energy and direction of the incident photons. Compton scattering is an important process in X-ray imaging and is used in various fields, including medicine and materials science, to study the properties of matter.

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About Dawn of Modern Physics

Classical physics cannot explain blackbody radiation and related observations, leading to Planck’s quantum theory, in which energy is emitted or absorbed in discrete packets. Photons provide the particle model of light, with energy and momentum linked to frequency and wavelength, including the photoelectric effect and its threshold frequency.

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