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IB Physics HL E 2 7 Hl Compton Scattering Questions

Analyse HL Compton scattering as evidence that photons carry energy and momentum, calculating recoil-electron energy and wavelength changes.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • explain Compton scattering as a photon–electron collision that transfers photon energy and momentum to a recoiling electron
  • use incident and scattered photon energies or wavelengths to calculate the kinetic energy gained by the electron
  • explain why Compton scattering provides stronger evidence for the particle nature of light than energy-only photoelectric evidence

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Study E.2.7 (HL)—Compton scattering conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

IB Physics HL E 2 7 Hl Compton Scattering Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

Question (a)

(a)

Outline why Compton scattering offers better evidence for the particle nature of light than the photoelectric effect.

A photon of wavelength 6.40×10−12 m6.40 \times 10^{-12} \mathrm{~m} and energy 0.194 MeV is incident on an electron at rest. The photon scatters at an angle θ\theta with wavelength 7.47×10−12 m7.47 \times 10^{-12} \mathrm{~m}. The electron recoils.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Calculate the kinetic energy of the recoiling electron.

[ 1 ]
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