1923

Compton scattering

• When a photon hits an electron,
• the photon transfers energy to the electron,
• is deflected and shifts to a lower wavelength.
• Arthur Holly Compton did the math
• in which each scattered photon
• hits only one electron,
• showing that a photon behaves as a particle,
• not merely as an electromagnetic wave.

Compton wavelength

• A photon’s energy
• is directly related to its frequency.
• A particle’s mass
• is equivalent to an energy
• by Einstein’s formula, E = mc².
• The Compton wavelength of a particle
• is the wavelength of a photon
• whose energy is equivalent
• to the particle’s mass.
• The Compton wavelength
• is the amplitude
• of the particle’s
• Zitterbewegung oscillation.

Inelastic scattering

• When an unstoppable bullet
• hits an impenetrable wall,
• the theory disintegrates.
• There are no such things.
• Let us rephrase the problem.
• Our paths shouldn’t
• depend on which of us
• is the more stubborn.
• No bullet’s unstoppable
• and no wall’s impenetrable.
• Maybe the bullet can turn corners
• and maybe the wall is not complete.
• A little creative thinking,
• a little kindness and respect,
• more altruism and less egotism,
• can stretch the possibilities.