Compton effect

noun

The increase in the wavelength, and corresponding decrease in the energy, of photons (especially of X-rays and gamma rays) when scattered by interaction with matter

Similar
Compton scattering
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Meanings

nounCompton effect (plural Compton effects)

plural Compton effects

  1. natural sciencesThe increase in the wavelength, and corresponding decrease in the energy, of photons (especially of X-rays and gamma rays) when scattered by interaction with matter

    Synonyms: Compton scattering

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe increase in the wavelength, and corresponding decrease in the energy, of photons (especially of X-rays and gamma rays) when scattered by interaction with matter

Similar
Compton scattering
Also see
compton scattering

Origin

Named after American physicist Arthur Compton (1892–1962).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Compton effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Compton%20effect

MLA

“Compton effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Compton%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Compton effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Compton%20effect.

Source: Compton effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.