What is the Compton wavelength of the electron?

The electron Compton wavelength is λ_C = 2.42631023867e-12 m (uncertainty ±7.3e-22), about 2.43 picometres.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What is the Compton wavelength of an electron?

λ_C = 2.42631023867e-12 m, about 2.43 pm, the wavelength shift scale in Compton scattering.

What does the Compton wavelength represent?

It is the wavelength of a photon whose energy equals the particle's rest mass energy, λ_C = h/(m_e·c).

How does it relate to Compton scattering?

It sets the magnitude of the wavelength change when X-rays scatter off electrons.

Related pages

• Speed of light
• Planck constant
• Reduced Planck constant
• Avogadro constant
• Boltzmann constant
• Molar gas constant
• Elementary charge
• Gravitational constant

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