Problem #0018 Quantum Physics Problem #0020 Chapters Chapters

720.

Problem 49.54 (RHK)

The quantity is often called the Compton wavelength , of the scattering particle and that Compton scattering equation is written as

We have to calculate the Compton wavelength of an electron; of a proton. (b) We have to find the energy of a photon whose wavelength is equal to the Compton wavelength of the electron; of the proton. (c) We have to show that in general the energy of a photon whose wavelength is equal to the Compton wavelength of a particle is just the rest energy of the particle.

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(a)

The mass of an electron, .

The Compton wavelength of electron will be

The mass of a proton, .

The Compton wavelength of proton will be

(b)

The energy of a photon which has a wavelength equal to Compton wavelength of electron will be

The energy of a photon which has a wavelength equal to Compton wavelength of proton will be

(c)

In general Compton wavelength of a particle of rest mass m is

The energy of a photon of wavelength will therefore be

which is the rest mass energy of particle of mass m.