In the Compton effect,
A) an electron is stopped suddenly.
B) an x ray collides with an electron, the electron is ejected, and the x-ray photon ceases to exist.
C) a neutrino is produced in a nuclear decay.
D) an energetic photon collides with an electron, and both the electron and the photon are scattered.
E) None of these is correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In the Compton effect, an energetic photon collides with an electron, and both the electron and the photon are scattered. This results in a decrease in energy and an increase in wavelength of the scattered photon. Option A is incorrect because the electron is not stopped suddenly, but rather recoils from the collision. Option B is incorrect because the x-ray photon is not destroyed, but rather scattered at a lower energy. Option C is incorrect because the Compton effect does not involve the production of neutrinos.

In the Compton Effect