Talk:Elastic scattering

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[edit] Merge with elastic collision

I think these two pages should be merged. Please continue the discussion at Talk:Elastic_collision Flying fish 02:14, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] I disagree with such a merge.

I personally see a reason behind keeping Elastic Collision and Elastic Scattering as distinct pages. While there definitely are paraellels between the two processes, elastic scattering is inherently a quantum process whereas elastic collision is within the realm of Newtonian mechanics. Rephrasing this distinction, elastic scattering is a sub-microscopic, relativistic process whereas elastic collision is primarily a macroscopic, sub-relativistic process. Approaching the one model from the vantage of the other often leads to incorrect description of phenomena and so-called paradoxical behavior. Thus separating the models by having two different pages should be pedagogically accurate.

Billyziege 21:04, 8 March 2007 (UTC)Billyziege

[edit] I also disagree with merging these two pages

In fact, "Elastic Scattering" is also a term in high energy physics which relates not only to electron-atom scattering at the keV level, but also to highly relativistic scattering of almost any two subatomic particles. I would propose to expand the current page to include information on this, rather than merging it with the more Elastic Collision. Michael Schmitt 03:57, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Contradicion

"the scattering intensity is expressed as a function of the momentum transfer defined as the difference between the momentum vector of the incident electron and that of the scattered electron." contradicts: "the energy of the incident photon or particle (electron, positron, or neutron) is conserved" Need to state clearly that the first is then not elastic.