Mott scattering

Mott scattering describes how electrons deflect when they pass near the positively charged nucleus of an atom, considering their quantum properties, especially spin. Unlike classical models, which treat electrons as tiny balls bouncing off a nucleus, Mott scattering accounts for quantum effects and the electron’s intrinsic angular momentum (spin). This results in a specific pattern of scattering angles and intensities that reveal information about the atom’s structure and the electron’s behavior. It’s a refined way physicists understand how electrons interact with atomic nuclei, important for studying atomic and subatomic phenomena with high precision.