The inelastic scattering of [[photon|photons]] ([[gamma ray|gamma rays]]) by collision with orbital electrons of an atom. When a gamma ray photon having an energy in the intermediate range from about 2 keV to about 2 MeV collides with an atom, it may transfer some energy to one of the orbital electrons. which. as a result, is knocked out of the atom. The photon thereby loses some energy (its frequency is lowered) and changes direction according to its energy loss. The Compton scattering power of a material is proportional to the number of electrons in that material. Important in [[density log|density logging]]. One of the three interactions of gamma rays with matter. Compare [[photoelectric effect]] and [[pair production]].

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