In text books defined that if in a collision the total kinetic energy before and after collision is conserved then it is called elastic collision other wise in-elastic ( momentum conserve in both cases).
The Compton scattering total kinetic energy is conserved before and after collision, but is called inelastic scattering. In literature it says that "
Elastic scattering occurs when there is no loss of energy of the incident primary particle. Elastically scattered particle can change direction but do not change their wavelength.
Inelastic scattering occurs when there is an interaction that causes loss of energy of the incident primary particle. In-elastically scattered particle have a longer wavelength."
Now my question : (1) Is the collision and scattering are different?
If yes, then (2) how define both the collision and scattering and how to distinguish?
Total Kinetic energy is not conserved in Compton scattering. A photon is emitted in this process. This photon carries energy which is not kinetic energy. Therefore the energy conservation equation is:
initial kinetic energy = final kinetic energy + photon energy
Hence this is inelastic scattering.
Schultz, You means that the total energy is conserved
incident photon energy +electron energy (generally ~0) =final energy of electron +leaving photon energy
but kinetic energy is not conserved as before collision kinetic energy is zero, while after collision it is non zero. It looks logical
But then how Thomson scattering is elastic scattering ?
Because in Thomson scattering the kinetic energy of the particle does not change.
The phenomena of collision in Classical mechanics is similar to scattering in Quantum mechanics...
Collision is the cause of the effect known as scattering. Collision can be physical or non-physical but both can scatter a said particle
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