What characterizes elastic scattering in terms of energy?

Elastic scattering is characterized by the conservation of kinetic energy during the interaction between two colliding particles. In this process, when particles scatter elastically, they rebound off each other without any loss of total kinetic energy. While the direction and velocity of the individual particles may change, the sum of their kinetic energy before and after the scattering event remains the same. This is a fundamental aspect of elastic collisions, distinguishing them from inelastic collisions where kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or deformation.

In various applications, especially in physics and medical dosimetry, understanding that elastic scattering preserves energy helps in predicting particle behavior and interactions with matter, which is crucial for accurate dosimetric calculations and radiation therapy planning.