Compton Scattering - AP Physics 2

Increases the wavelength. Photon loses energy, so wavelength increases.

Speed of light in vacuum. Fundamental constant in relativistic equations.

$m_e$. Standard notation for electron rest mass.

Demonstrates particle-like behavior of light. Key evidence for photon nature of light.

Inelastic interaction. Photon loses energy to electron.

Larger angle, larger shift. Greater angle produces greater wavelength shift.

Conservation of energy and momentum. Both quantities conserved in elastic collision.

Scattering angle. Describes photon deflection from original path.

X-rays and gamma rays. High-energy photons needed for observable effect.

It recoils with increased kinetic energy. Electron gains momentum and kinetic energy.

Speed of light in vacuum. Fundamental constant in relativistic equations.

Increases the wavelength. Photon loses energy, so wavelength increases.

The scattering angle of the photon. Angle determines magnitude of wavelength shift.

$\triangle \text{λ} = \frac{h}{m_e c}$. At $90°$, $\cos(90°) = 0$, so $(1 - \cos \theta) = 1$.

Photons and electrons. Classic example of photon-matter interaction.

X-rays and gamma rays. High-energy photons needed for observable effect.

Interaction between a photon and an electron resulting in photon energy decrease. Demonstrates photon-electron collision with energy transfer.

Elastic collision. Energy and momentum are conserved.

Longer wavelength, less energy. Result of energy and momentum transfer.

$\triangle \text{λ} = \frac{h}{m_e c} (1 - \text{cos} \theta)$. Describes wavelength change based on scattering angle.

Speed. Photon speed always equals $c$ in vacuum.

Wave-particle duality of light. Confirms light has particle properties.

Wave-particle duality. Shows light behaves as both wave and particle.

$9.11 \times 10^{-31} \text{kg}$. Standard physical constant for electron mass.

Compton involves scattering; photoelectric involves ejection. Different mechanisms of photon-electron interaction.

Indicates dependence on scattering angle. Term determines angular dependence of shift.

Depends on scattering angle $\theta$. Momentum change varies with scattering direction.

$\triangle \text{λ} = \frac{h}{m_e c}$. At $90°$, $\cos(90°) = 0$, so $(1 - \cos \theta) = 1$.

Decreases. Energy loss means frequency reduction.