Compton effect and quantum nature of light, Physics

Assignment Help:

Q. Describe Compton effect. Drive an expression for Compton shift. How does it support the particle nature of light. 

Compton Effect and Quantum Nature of Light

A.H. Compton in 1923, while studying the scattering of  X rays by a block of paraffin observed that the wavelength of the scattered radiation was greater than wavelength of incident radiation and this shift in wavelength was dependent on the angle of the scattering. The wavelength of scattered radiation is found maximum at right angles to the direction of incident beam. This effect is known as Compton Effect.

Classical theory is failed to explain this observed effect of increment in wavelength. According to classical theory the wavelength of incident radiation and scattered radiation must be same. Compton explain this effect by assuming that light is consist of a large number of oscillating particles vibrate with different frequencies known as Quanta having energy. Thus Compton effect gives us an experimental evidence of quantum nature of light.

Theory of Compton Effect

Let us consider the phenomenon of scattering as a elastic collision between the incident photon and electron. The conservation of energy and momentum will hold since collision is elastic.

Compton assumed the electron to be free and at rest before collision with the incident photon. After the collision has taken place, the relativistic mass of the electron to be electron to be considered instead of its rest mass. A small parts of energy of high energy photon is also being transferred to the electron is this process.

During the collision process some of the part of this energy is imparted to the electron, which in turn gain kinetic energy and so recoil. The direction of scattered photon is given by angle q, whereas the direction of recoil electron. 


Related Discussions:- Compton effect and quantum nature of light

Explain electrolysis, The phenomenon of decomposition of electrolyte soluti...

The phenomenon of decomposition of electrolyte solution into ions on passing the current by it is called electrolysis. Practical functions of electrolysis are Electrotyping, ext

What are nuclear forces, Q. What are nuclear forces? The force which c...

Q. What are nuclear forces? The force which conquers the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged protons and binds the protons and neutrons inside the nucleus is ca

Capacitors in series, Capacitors in series: When three capacitors are c...

Capacitors in series: When three capacitors are connected in series.  If one electron moves from the negative terminal of the cell to the right hand plate of C 3 , and one elec

Difference between an isotropic and othrotropic, 1. What are multipoint con...

1. What are multipoint constraints? 2. What is the difference between an RBE2 and RBE3? When is one use over the other? 3. What is the difference between an isotropic, othrot

Determine the coefficient of thermal expansion, 1) The potential energy be...

1) The potential energy between two atoms can be represented as follows: where A and B are constants and r the interatomic separation distance in metres. Plot the potential ene

What is illumination, What is Illumination? A body that gives off light...

What is Illumination? A body that gives off light is called luminous, like all those glow-in-the-dark toys, and a body that gives off light when it is heated is called incandes

State huygen''s principle, Q. State Huygen's principle. Huygen's princ...

Q. State Huygen's principle. Huygen's principle: (a) Every point on a specified wave front may be considered as a source of secondary wavelets which spread out with the sp

Photoelectric effect, Photoelectric effect An effect described by A. E...

Photoelectric effect An effect described by A. Einstein that demonstrates that light appears to be built up of photons or particles. Light can do excite electrons (called phot

Evaluate simple harmonic motion, Harmonicmotion is considered simple if it ...

Harmonicmotion is considered simple if it is undamped, i.e. if it keep on to oscillate uniformly over time. Of particular interest are the frequency f or also period T of the oscil

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd