Question

Assertion : Rayleigh scattering can be considered as elastic collisions of photons with massive particle.
Reason: In Rayleigh scattering, the energy of incident and scattered is same

• A. If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
• B. If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
• C. If assertion is true but reason is false
• D. If both assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

In Rayleigh scattering, when a photon (of momentum P) collide with a very massive particles (of mass m) (distant particles,…… etc.) then the momentum transferred will be P or 2P
so energy transferred is $\frac{P^{2}}{2m}$ or $\frac{\left(P^{2}\right)}{2m}$ which will be very small.