(e) (I) In a Compton experiment, an X-ray photon of wavelength 0.15 nm collides with a stationary free electron and scatters backward at an angle of \( 180^{\circ} \) with respect to its original incident direction. (use \( h c=1240 \mathrm{eV} \cdot \mathrm{nm} \) ). What is the wavelength of the scattered photon (in nm )? (II) Calculate the wavelength of a photon emitted when an electron, trapped in an infinitely deep square well potential of width \( \ell=1.5 \times 10^{-10} \mathrm{~m} \), makes a transition from the \( n=2 \) state to the \( n=1 \) state.
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Bonus Knowledge
To understand the Compton experiment, it's fascinating to note that it was conducted by Arthur Compton in 1923 to demonstrate the particle nature of light. By colliding X-ray photons with electrons, Compton discovered that the wavelength of scattered light increased, indicating that photons carried momentum. This provided direct evidence for the theory of wave-particle duality, bridging quantum mechanics and classical physics in a real-world setting. Now, onto the square well potential! Imagine an electron trapped in a virtual box, where it can only occupy specific energy levels, like a stairway. The energy difference between these levels corresponds to the emitted photon when an electron transitions from one level to another. So when our electron jumps from the n=2 state to the n=1 state, it emits a photon with a very specific wavelength. This setup is fundamental in quantum mechanics, illustrating how particles behave in confined spaces and can be used to explain atomic and molecular structures!