Compton Effect
1. When a monochromatic beam of X-rays is scattered by a substance, the scattered X-rays contain radiation
not only of the same wavelength as that of the primary rays but also the radiation of longer wavelength. The
former is called the “Unmodified radiation” and the letter the “modified radiation”. The classical
electromagnetic theory explained the unmodified radiation but it totally failed to explain the presence of
the modified radiation.
2. Compton gave a satisfactory explanation for the modified radiation on the basis of quantum theory. Hence
the phenomenon giving rise to modified radiation is called Compton Effect.
Failure of classical wave theory to explain Compton Effect
The result of Compton Effect could not be explained by classical theory. The X-rays cause the
electrons of the material to oscillate and radiate electromagnetic waves of the same frequency. Thus the
scattered waves are predicted to have the same frequency (and also the same wavelength) as the incident
waves. This is contrary to the observed phenomenon.
Success of Quantum theory to explain Compton Effect
The Compton phenomenon can be explained from the standpoint of quantum theory, which
postulates that radiations consist of photons (small packets of energy). Thus, the collision between a
photons and electrons can be treated like an elastic collision between two billiard balls.
ɦ
According to Compton Effect the change in wavelength is given by: ∆𝜆 = (1 − 𝐶𝑜𝑠 ∅)
𝑚0𝑐
Where ɦ is Planck’s constant, 𝑚0 is rest mass of electron, ∅ is angle of scattering and c is speed of light. The
shift in wavelength ∆𝜆 is called Compton shift.
ɦ
Compton Wavelength: If ∅ = 900 , cos ∅ = 0 then the Compton shift is ∆𝜆 = , this is called the
𝑚0𝑐
ɦ
Compton wavelength of the electron. has the dimensions of length and is equal to 0.02426 Å.
𝑚0𝑐
Compton shift depends only on the scattering angle. It does not depend on the incident wavelength
In photoelectric effect the photon completely disappears and all of its energy is given to the photoelectron.
In Compton Effect there is still a photon after the collision but its energy is less than that of the incident
photon, only a part of the energy of incident photon is given to the Compton electron.
Note: Einstein’s theory explains the emission of one electron corresponding to the absorption of one photon
(photoelectric effect). This does not mean that every photon incident on the metal causes emission of an
electron even if the energy of the photons is more than the threshold. The photon can be involved in many
other processes like Compton Effect etc. Therefore the ratio of the number of electrons emitted to the
number of photons incident is much less than unity.
Rayleigh Scattering: The process that scatters photons/radiations without changing their wavelength is
called Rayleigh scattering.
Compton Scattering: The process that scatters photons/radiations with changing their wavelength is called
Compton scattering.
For longer wavelengths Compton and Rayleigh scatterings are equal.
For shortest wavelengths only Compton scattering is valid
Students ask How Arthur Holly Compton gotten Noble prize in 1927 A.D by defining a simple phenomenon
regarding change of wavelength by scattering a photon after colliding with electron, so following explanation is my
answer to those students.
Firstly we’ve assumed heretofore that the electron with which the photon collides is free. Even though the electron is initially
bound, this assumption is justifiable if the kinetic energy acquired by electron in the collision is much larger than its binding
energy. If the electron is particularly strongly bound to an atom in the target, or if the incident photon energy is very small, there
is some chance that the electron will not be ejected from the atom. In this case, the collision can be regarded as taking place
between the photon and the whole atom. The ionic core, to which the electron is bound in the scattering target, recoils as a
whole during the collision. Then the mass M of the atom is the characteristic mass for the process, and it must be substituted in
the Compton Shift equations for the electron mass 𝑚0 . Since 𝑀 ≫ 𝑚0 ( for example; 𝑀 = 22000 𝑚0 for carbon ) So the
Compton shift for collisions with tightly bound electrons is seen immeasurably small (i.e one-millionth of an angstrom for carbon)
So that the scattered photon is essentially unmodified in wavelength. To summarize some photons are scattered from electrons
which are freed by the collision; these photons are modified in wavelength. Other photons are scattered from electrons which
remain bound during the collision; these photons are not modified in wavelength.
The process that scatters photons without changing their wavelength is called Rayleigh scattering, after the physicist who
developed a classical theory of the scattering of electromagnetic radiation by atoms around the year 1900 A.D. He considered a
beam of electromagnetic waves whose oscillating electric field interacts with the charges of the atomic electrons in the target.
This interaction produces forces on the electrons which cause oscillating accelerations. As a result of accelerations, the electrons
will radiate electromagnetic waves of the same frequency and in phase with, incident waves. Thus the atomic electrons absorb
energy from the incident beam of X-rays and scatter it in all directions, without modifying the wavelength. Although this classical
explanation of Rayleigh scattering is different from the quantum explanation presented in the preceding paragraph, both explain
the same feature observed in the measurements. Thus Rayleigh scattering is a case where classical and quantum results merge.
It is interesting to ask in what region of electromagnetic spectrum Rayleigh scattering will be the dominant process, and in what
region Compton scattering will dominate. If the incident radiation is in the visible, microwave or radio part of the spectrum, then
𝜆 is extremely large compared to the Compton shift ∆𝜆, the scattered radiation in this region of the spectrum will in
all circumstances have a wavelength which is the same as the wavelength of the incident radiation within
experimental accuracy. So, as 𝜆 → ∞, the quantum results merge with the classical results, and Rayleigh scattering
dominates. Moving into the X-ray region of the spectrum, Compton scattering starts to become important,
particularly for scattering targets of low atomic number where the atomic electrons are no very tightly bound, and
the wavelength shift in scattering from an electron which is freed in the process becomes easily measurable. In the
𝛾 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑛 where, 𝜆 → 0, the photon energy becomes so large, that an electron is always freed in a collision,
and Compton scattering dominates.
It is in the short wavelength region that the classical results fail to explain the scattering of radiation, just as in the
ultraviolet catastrophe of classical physics (In black body radiation) where predictions concerning the radiation in a
cavity diverged radically from experimental results at short wavelengths. These circumstances are due to the size of
Planck’s Constant ɦ. At long wavelengths the frequency ʋ is small, and since ɦ is also small, the granularity in
electromagnetic energy, ɦʋ, is so small to be virtually indistinguishable from the continuum of classical physics. But
at sufficiently short wavelengths, where ʋ is large enough to be negligible and quantum effects abound.
1- Compton’s effect associated with ….
(a) ∝ −𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 (b) 𝛽 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 (c) 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 (d) Positive rays
2- Compton’s effect shows that …
(a) 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑠 (b) 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
(c) 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 (d) 𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛′ 𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚
3- In Compton scattering relative to original photon, the photon scattered from a collision with a free electron has higher ….
(a) Energy (b) momentum (c) Frequency (d) Wavelength
4- The maximum Compton shift is independent of ….
(a) Frequency of incident radiation (b) Material of target
(c) Angle of scattering (d) A.O.T
5- Which of the following phenomenon support the quantum nature of light …
(a) Interference (b) Diffraction (c) Polarization (d) Compton Effect
6- In Compton Effect the electron that takes part is ….
(a) Free (b) Bound (c) May be free or bound (d) Emitted from nucleus by decay of neutron
7- The increase in wavelength, ∆𝜆 termed as Compton shift, produced as a result of collision of X-rays is given by ….
ɦ ɦ ɦ ɦ
(a) ∆𝜆 = (𝐶𝑜𝑠 ∅ − 1) (b) ∆𝜆 = (1 − 𝐶𝑜𝑠 ∅) (c) ∆𝜆 = 𝐶𝑜𝑠 ∅ (d) ∆𝜆 =
𝑚0𝑐 𝑚0𝑐 𝑚0𝑐 𝑚0𝑐
8- The increase in wavelength, ∆𝜆 termed as Compton shift, produced as a result of collision of X-rays is given by ….
2ɦ ∅ 2ɦ ∅ ɦ ɦ ∅
(a) ∆𝜆 = sin (b) ∆𝜆 = sin2 (c) ∆𝜆 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 ∅ (d) ∆𝜆 = sin
𝑚0𝑐 2 𝑚0𝑐 2 𝑚0𝑐 𝑚0𝑐 2
9- The decrease in energy or increase in wavelength of X-rays after scattering from the surface of an object known as…
(a) Photoelectric effect (b) Pair production (c) Zeeman Effect (d) Compton Effect
10- What kind of photon is required for the Compton effect to occur ?
(a) Visible light photon (b) X-ray photon (c) Infrared radiation (d) UV photon
11- The special case where classical and quantum results merge is called ….
(a) Wien’s law (b) Bohr’s model (c) Compton’s scattering (d) Rayleigh scattering
12- As, 𝜆 → ∞, then …… (in case of radiation scattering phenomenon)
(a) Quantum results merge with the classical results (b) Only Classical results are valid
(c) Quantum results fail completely (d) Classical results fail completely
13- As, 𝜆 → 0, (as for 𝛾 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦) then …… (in case of radiation scattering phenomenon)
(a) Quantum results merge with the classical results (b) Only Classical results are valid
(c) Quantum results are valid only (d) Classical results fail completely
14- Electron is always freed in a collision and knocked out, when …… radiation strike with it.
(a) 𝛾 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦 (b) Infrared (c) Radio wave (d) Visible light
15- In case of radiation scattering phenomenon as 𝜆 → ∞, then which one dominates ….
(a) Rayleigh scattering (b) Compton scattering (c) Alpha particle scattering (d) N.O.T
16- In case of radiation scattering phenomenon as 𝜆 → 0, then which one dominates ….
(a) Rayleigh scattering (b) Compton scattering (c) Alpha particle scattering (d) N.O.T
17- When a Photon of high frequency is struck with stationary electron, after the elastic collision momentums of both the
particles are 10 units and 5 units diverged at 600 with each other. The momentum of incident photon was …..
(a) 2 10 units (b) 5 7 units (c) 4 2 units (d) 3 5 units
18- When a Photon of high frequency is struck with stationary electron, after the elastic collision momentums of both the
particles are 5 units and 3 units diverged at 600 with each other. The momentum of incident photon was …..
(a) 7 units (b) 5 units (c) 3 units (d) 9 units
19- When a Photon of high frequency is struck with stationary electron, after the elastic collision momentums of both the
particles are 7 units and 5 units diverged at 600 with each other. The momentum of incident photon was …..
(a) 39 units (b) 10.9 units (c) 109 units (d) 3 11 units
20- When a Photon of high frequency is struck with stationary electron, after the elastic collision momentums of both the
particles are 5 units and 2 units diverged at 600 with each other. The momentum of incident photon was …..
(a) 39 units (b) 29 units (c) 19 units (d) 9 11 units
21- When a Photon of high frequency is struck with stationary electron, after the elastic collision momentums of each of the
particles is 5 units diverged at 600 with each other. The momentum of incident photon was …..
(a) 2 10 units (b) 5 3 units (c) 4 2 units (d) 3 5 units
22- When a Photon of high frequency is struck with stationary electron, after the elastic collision momentums of each of the
particles is 10 units diverged at 600 with each other. The momentum of incident photon was …..
(a) 2 10 units (b) 5 3 units (c) 7 5 units (d) 10 3 units
23- When a Photon of high frequency is struck with stationary electron, after the elastic collision momentums of both the
particles are 1 units and 2 units diverged at 600 with each other. The momentum of incident photon was …..
(a) 7 units (b) 5 units (c) 3 units (d) 9 units
24- X-ray scattering from an electron is an evidence of ….
(a) Wave nature of electron (b) Particle nature of X-rays (c) Diffraction properties of X-rays (d) N.O.T
25- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift equals to Compton wavelength of electron when X-ray is scattered at an
angle of …
(a) 00 (b) 1800 (c) 600 (d) 900
26- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift is equal to zero when X-ray is scattered at an angle of ….
(a) 00 (b) 1800 (c) 600 (d) 900
27- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift is maximum when X-ray is scattered at an angle of ….
(a) 00 (b) 1800 (c) 600 (d) 900
28- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift is equal to half of Compton wavelength of electron when X-ray is
scattered at an angle of ….
(a) 00 (b) 1800 (c) 600 (d) 900
29- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift is equal to 0.8 times the Compton wavelength of electron when X-ray is
scattered at an angle of ….
(a) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.8 (b) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.8 (c) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.2 (d) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.2
30- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift is equal to 0.3 times the Compton wavelength of electron when X-ray is
scattered at an angle of ….
(a) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.7 (b) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.7 (c) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.3 (d) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.3
31- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift is equal to 0.1 times the Compton wavelength of electron when X-ray is
scattered at an angle of ….
(a) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.1 (b) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.1 (c) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.9 (d) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.9
32- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift is equal to 0.4 times the Compton wavelength of electron when X-ray is
scattered at an angle of ….
(a) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.6 (b) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.4 (c) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.6 (d) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.6
33- In Compton scattering, the value of Compton shift is equal to 0.8 times the maximum Compton shift of electron when X-ray
is scattered at an angle of ….
(a) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.8 (b) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.8 (c) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 0.2 (d) 𝐶𝑜𝑠 −1 1.2
34- Which of the following phenomenon cannot be studied by wave nature of radiation ?
(a) Compton Effect (b) Reflection (c) Interference (d) Diffraction
35- Compton shift in wavelength is maximum when …
(a) Scattering angle is 00 (b) Scattering angle is 900 (c) Scattering angle is 1800 (d) N.O.T
36- Compton shift is maximum when angle of scattering ∅ is ….
(a) 00 (b) 1800 (c) 600 (d) 900
37- When a photon collides with an electron, which of the following of photon increases ….
(a) Wavelength (b) Energy (c) Velocity (d) Frequency
38- Who awarded by Nobel prize for the discovery of the strong evidence of particle nature of radiation ….
(a) Henry Cavendish (b) Rayleigh (c) Wien (d) A.H. Compton
39- To be continued
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
C D D D D A B D D B
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
D A C A A B B A C A
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
B D A B D A B C C A
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
D D C A C B A D