Question

what is the difference between elastic and inelastic neutron scattering in terms of energy

Answer 1

Solution:

Let us go to the basics first.

Elastic neutron scattering is a form of particle scattering. In this process, the kinetic energy of a neutron is conserved in the center-of-mass frame, but its direction of propagation is modified (by interaction with other particles and/or potentials). Furthermore, while the neutron's kinetic energy in the center-of-mass frame is constant, its energy in the lab frame is not. Generally, elastic scattering describes a process where the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved.

Inelastic neutron scattering is a scattering process in which the kinetic energy of an incident neutron is not conserved (in contrast to elastic scattering). In an inelastic neutron scattering process, some of the energy of the incident neutron is lost or increased.

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answered by: anonymous