PHYS 3310 Module 3 Activity 3

The Compton Effect

Practice 3.3.1
When a photon collides with a free electron at rest and the direction of motion of the photon changes, …
A. the magnitude of the momentum of the photon does not change.
B. the momentum of the electron does not change.
C. the kinetic energy of the electron does not change.
D. the total energy of the photon does not change.
E. both the magnitude of the momentum and the total energy of the photon decrease.
Check your answer: E. both the magnitude of the momentum and the total energy of the photon decrease.
Practice 3.3.2
A photon collides with an electron. After the collision the wavelength of the scattered wave is
A. greater than or equal to the initial wavelength.
B. equal to the initial wavelength.
C. less than or equal to the initial wavelength.
D. greater than the initial wavelength.
E. less or greater depending on the scattering angle.
Check your answer: A. greater than or equal to the initial wavelength.
Practice 3.3.3
A photon whose energy is 8.00 x 10–15 J is scattered off an electron at a 90° angle. What is the wavelength of the scattered photon?
A. 2.73 x 10–11 m
B. 2.25 x 10–11 m
C. 2.50 x 10–11 m
D. 2.40 x 10–12 m
E. 2.48 x 10–11 m
Check your answer: A. 2.73 x 10–11 m

Follow-up Question: Why is Compton scattering only noticeable for X-rays and gamma rays, not visible light?