---
title: "A student compares the mechanisms of single-photon interactions with electrons in the photoelectric effect and in Compton scattering. Which row in the following table correctly identifies the fate of the incident photon in the photoelectric effect, the state of the electron required for complete photon absorption, and the change in wavelength of the scattered photon in Compton scattering?  | | Fate of Incident Photon in Photoelectric Effect | Interacting Electron in Photoelectric Effect | Scattered Photon in Compton Scattering | |—|—|—|—| | (A) | Completely absorbed | Bound to an atom or lattice | Wavelength increases (\\(\\lambda’ > \\lambda\\)) | | (B) | Completely absorbed | Free and isolated | Wavelength increases (\\(\\lambda’ > \\lambda\\)) | | (C) | Completely absorbed | Bound to an atom or lattice | Wavelength decreases (\\(\\lambda’  \\lambda\\)) |"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/123499/"
date_modified: "2026-09-28T11:59:58+00:00"
---

# A student compares the mechanisms of single-photon interactions with electrons in the photoelectric effect and in Compton scattering. Which row in the following table correctly identifies the fate of the incident photon in the photoelectric effect, the state of the electron required for complete photon absorption, and the change in wavelength of the scattered photon in Compton scattering?

| | Fate of Incident Photon in Photoelectric Effect | Interacting Electron in Photoelectric Effect | Scattered Photon in Compton Scattering |
|—|—|—|—|
| (A) | Completely absorbed | Bound to an atom or lattice | Wavelength increases (\(\lambda’ > \lambda\)) |
| (B) | Completely absorbed | Free and isolated | Wavelength increases (\(\lambda’ > \lambda\)) |
| (C) | Completely absorbed | Bound to an atom or lattice | Wavelength decreases (\(\lambda’  \lambda\)) |

A student compares the mechanisms of single-photon interactions with electrons in the photoelectric effect and in Compton scattering. Which row in the following table correctly identifies the fate of the incident photon in the photoelectric effect, the state of the electron required for complete photon absorption, and the change in wavelength of the scattered photon in Compton scattering?

| | Fate of Incident Photon in Photoelectric Effect | Interacting Electron in Photoelectric Effect | Scattered Photon in Compton Scattering |
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | Completely absorbed | Bound to an atom or lattice | Wavelength increases (\(\lambda' > \lambda\)) |
| (B) | Completely absorbed | Free and isolated | Wavelength increases (\(\lambda' > \lambda\)) |
| (C) | Completely absorbed | Bound to an atom or lattice | Wavelength decreases (\(\lambda' < \lambda\)) |
| (D) | Inelastically scattered | Free and isolated | Wavelength increases (\(\lambda' > \lambda\)) |

- **A.** Completely absorbed | Bound to an atom or lattice | Wavelength increases (\(\lambda' > \lambda\))
- **B.** Completely absorbed | Free and isolated | Wavelength increases (\(\lambda' > \lambda\))
- **C.** Completely absorbed | Bound to an atom or lattice | Wavelength decreases (\(\lambda' < \lambda\))
- **D.** Inelastically scattered | Free and isolated | Wavelength increases (\(\lambda' > \lambda\))

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/123499/*