Term: Compton effect
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01218

Definition:
The elastic scattering of a photon by an electron which afterwards occurs as a free electron. Part of the energy and momentum of the incident photon is transferred to the electron and the remaining part is carried away by the scattered photon. Synonymous with Compton scattering

Related Terms:
1) elastic scattering (<em>in reaction dynamics</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E01916).
2) photon (<em>in reaction dynamics</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04627).
3) electron (<em>in reaction dynamics</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E01975).
4) momentum (<em>in reaction dynamics</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04007).

Source: PAC, 1982, 54, 1533. 'Glossary of terms used in nuclear analytical chemistry (Provisional)' on page 1538 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198254081533)

Citation: 'Compton effect' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01218

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