An X-ray source emits photons of wavelength that are directed toward a target…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation
Problem
An X-ray source emits photons of wavelength 0.071nm that are directed toward a target containing essentially free electrons at rest. A photon detected after scattering from an electron is found to have a wavelength of 0.0721nm. The Compton wavelength of the electron is 2.43pm.
(a) Calculate the magnitude of the scattering angle θ for the photon.
(b) Determine the energy (in keV) of the scattered photon.
(c) Using conservation of energy, compute the kinetic energy acquired by the recoil electron and explain how your result is consistent with the change in photon energy.