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Compton scattering

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

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Meanings

nounCompton scattering (uncountable)

uncountablenatural 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 effect

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

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Also see

compton effect upscattering

Origin

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

Full word history & related roots →

Cite this entry

APA

Compton scattering. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Compton%20scattering

MLA

“Compton scattering.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Compton%20scattering. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Compton scattering,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Compton%20scattering.

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