Question

An x-ray photon is scattered by an originally stationary electron. how does the frequency of the scattered photon compare relative to the frequency of the incident photon? it is lower.

Answer 1

The frequency of the scattered photon decreases or it will be lower compare to the frequency of incident photon. An x-ray photon scatters in one direction after a collision and some energy is transferred to the electron as it recoils in another direction resulting to have less energy in the scattered photon. In addition, the frequencies will also depend on the differences of the angle at which the scattered photon leaves the collision and this incident is called Compton Effect.