elastic scattering
Quick Summary
In physics, elastic scattering refers to the scattering of particles that occurs as a result of an elastic collision. An elastic collision is one where the total kinetic energy of the colliding bodies remains unchanged. This means no kinetic energy is lost during the impact.12
A classic example is the Compton effect, where X-rays scatter off electrons. This interaction is explained as an elastic collision between an X-ray photon and an electron, similar to how billiard balls collide. In contrast, inelastic scattering involves a change in the total kinetic energy of the colliding particles.34
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
radiation measurementSlow neutronsSlow neutrons frequently undergo elastic scattering interactions with nuclei and may in the process transfer a fraction of their energy to the interacting nucleus. Because the kinetic energy of a neutron is so low, however, the resulting recoil nucleus does not have enough energy to be classified as an…
Read MoreSlow neutrons frequently undergo elastic scattering interactions with nuclei and may in the process transfer a fraction of their energy to the interacting nucleus. Because the kinetic energy of a neutron is so low, however, the resulting recoil nucleus does not have enough energy to be classified as an…
Read More
radiation measurementFast-neutron detectors…neutrons tends to be the elastic-scattering interaction. The resulting recoil nuclei can absorb a significant fraction of the original neutron energy in a single scattering and then deposit that energy in a manner similar to that of any other charged particle. The scattered neutron, now with a lower energy, may…
Read More…neutrons tends to be the elastic-scattering interaction. The resulting recoil nuclei can absorb a significant fraction of the original neutron energy in a single scattering and then deposit that energy in a manner similar to that of any other charged particle. The scattered neutron, now with a lower energy, may…
Read More