Final answer:
The Compton effect involves scattering of a photon by an electron, resulting in energy and momentum conservation but a reduction in photon energy. The energy transferred to the electron can be calculated using the Compton formula, which requires information on the scattering angle and post-collision wavelength. Without specific details on the scattering angle for the 460.3 keV photon, an exact fraction of energy transfer cannot be calculated.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the fraction of energy transferred to an electron during a Compton scattering event, it is necessary to understand the principles of the Compton effect. The Compton effect describes the scattering of a photon by an electron, where both energy and momentum are conserved but the photon undergoes a decrease in energy and wavelength increase. By applying the Compton formula, one can determine the change in the photon's wavelength and, consequently, the energy transferred to the electron.
The formula E = hc/λ is used to calculate the energy of a photon, where E is the energy, h is the Planck's constant, λ is the wavelength, and c is the speed of light in a vacuum. To determine the wavelength after a Compton scattering event, one must also consider the Compton shift, which takes into account the scattering angle and the Planck's constant.
Given a photon with an initial energy of 460.3 keV and that it is backscattered, the maximum energy that can be transferred to the electron can be found using the Compton formula for energy transfer during a scattering event at a 180-degree angle. However, without knowing the scattering angle in this specific problem, we cannot provide an exact answer. The fraction of energy transferred would generally be less than the maximum transferable in a backscatter scenario. For precise calculations, additional information such as the scattering angle and the wavelength after collision is needed.