The Compton Effect

The Compton Effect describes how X-ray or gamma-ray photons scatter off electrons, resulting in a decrease in the photon’s energy and an increase in its wavelength. When these high-energy photons collide with electrons, they transfer some of their energy, causing the photons to shift to longer wavelengths (lower energy). This phenomenon provides evidence that light has particle-like properties, called photons, and supports the idea that energy is conserved during such interactions. It’s an important concept in understanding quantum physics and how electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter.