Photon collides with Electron?

Question

I was working with a simulation where photons of an energy level and wavelength that you choose are shot through a gas and even when the photons were on the wrong energy level a couple still bounced off the gas, so my question is what happens when a photon of the wrong energy level collides with an electron? do they just bounce off? is there an exchange of E.V? Thanks in advance for all answers

Randy P · Accepted Answer

There's an effect called Compton scattering where the photons interact with the electron, losing momentum (and therefore increasing in wavelength).

This is associated with X-ray photons. I'm not sure why just X-rays.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/quantum/comptint.html

Apparently the effect is too small to see with visible light.

party@myplace · Answer

Donkey Punch!

DaveWH · Answer

Google something called 'Compton scattering'. That should answer your question.

Photon collides with Electron?

3 Answers