AP Physics 2 / Unit 15: Modern Physics
15.6 Compton Scattering
Notes
When an X-ray photon hits an electron, the photon loses energy and its wavelength increases. Momentum and energy are conserved, showing photons carry momentum: $\displaystyle p=\frac{h}{\lambda}$.
Practice
After Compton scattering, the photon's wavelength:
It lost energy.
Compton scattering shows that photons have:
$\displaystyle p=\frac{h}{\lambda}$.
In Compton scattering, which is conserved?
Like a collision.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 15 test.