Question

A 110 keV X-ray photon coherently scatters off one of the valence electrons of a nitrogen atom. Assume that the scattering angle of the photon is θ = 15°. (Use 511 keV for the energy of an electron at rest, 1.602 ✕ 10⁻¹⁹ C for the charge of the electron, and 2.998 ✕ 10⁸ m/s for the speed of light in vacuum.)

a) Calculate the energy of the scattered photon (in keV).

b) Calculate the velocity of the ejected electron (in m/s).

c) What is the final velocity of the scattered photon (in m/s)?

d) By what angle would the photon have to be scattered in order for its energy to be reduced by 15%? Derive the result as a general formula first, then calculate the particular angle (in degrees) for an incident photon of 110 keV.

Answer 1