The Compton wavelength is a quantum mechanical property of a particle, defined as the wavelength associated with a photon scattered by an individual particle. It is well explained through the process called Compton scattering. The standard Compton wavelength is denoted by the Greek letter λ (Lambda) and measured using the SI unit of length angstrom (meter).
Compton wavelength ( λ)
According to CODATA 2014, the value of Compton wavelength of an electron is –
| Compton wavelength λ | 2.4263102367(11) × 10-12 meter |
| Compton wavelength λ | 0.0242 angstrom |
Value of Compton wavelength is constant for a particle. Thus, the value varies from particle to particle. Compton wavelength of an electron is used in the derivation of Compton effect for any particle.
Compton Wavelength Equation
The Compton wavelength of a particle is equal to the wavelength of a photon whose energy is the same as the mass of that particle. Thus the standard Compton wavelength equation is given by
\(\begin{array}{l}\lambda = \frac{h}{mc}\end{array} \) |
Where,
- λ is the Compton wavelength of a particle measured using the meter.
- h is the Planck constant.
- m is the mass of the particle measured using gram.
- c is the speed of light in vacuum measured using m/s.
The significance of this formula is well expressed in the derivation of the Compton shift formula. The equivalence of mass and energy is well explained through mass-energy equivalence.
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