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Answer to Question #1351 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Radiation Basics — Photons The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
Why can't photoelectric (PE) effect occur with outermost electrons? Or what is the importance of bound electrons with PE effect?
A
A free electron cannot absorb a photon and thereby conserve both energy and momentum, as it does in Compton scattering. For photoelectric absorption to occur, the electron must be bound. The photoelectric process is best facilitated for the inner electrons, which are most strongly bound to the nucleus. The incident photon and the atom as a whole then participate in the conservation of energy and momentum.
For more discussion, see J.E. Turner, Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York (1995), pp. 173-174.
James E. Turner, CHP
Answer posted on 5 November 2001. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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