Compton Scattering

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About this simulation

One X-ray or gamma-ray photon scatters from a free electron initially at rest. Relativistic energy and momentum are conserved. You choose the angle; angular scattering rates are not simulated. Ray lengths and colours are illustrative, not visible-light wavelengths.

What students can explore

Compare forward and backward scattering. Does changing incident energy change the wavelength shift at a fixed angle?
A photon transfers energy and momentum to an electron. Larger scattering angles increase the photon’s wavelength shift.

Learning objectives

1Compare forward and backward scattering. Does changing incident energy change the wavelength shift at a fixed angle?

Questions teachers ask

How does this work?

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