Sir C. V. Raman received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work related to which phenomenon of radiation?

Introduction / Context:
Sir C V Raman was a famous Indian physicist whose experimental work on the scattering of light in transparent media led to the discovery of what is now called the Raman effect. For this pioneering work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. This question focuses on recalling which specific phenomenon of radiation is associated with his Nobel Prize winning research. Knowing this is an important part of general knowledge and the history of science.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The scientist is Sir C V Raman. • The context is the Nobel Prize in Physics. • The work is related to a phenomenon of radiation in transparent media.

Concept / Approach:
The Raman effect involves a change in the wavelength of light when it is scattered by molecules in a medium. Most photons are elastically scattered (Rayleigh scattering) with no change in wavelength, but a small fraction undergoes inelastic scattering, leading to shifts in frequency. This inelastic scattering is characteristic of the Raman effect. Raman and his collaborators observed new spectral lines displaced from the incident frequency, thereby confirming this new form of scattering. Among the options diffraction, interference, and polarization are other wave phenomena, and the photoelectric effect was studied in a different context, but the specific Nobel Prize for Raman was for work on scattering.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Raman effect is associated with light scattering in molecules. Step 2: Remember that Sir C V Raman discovered this effect and studied the change in frequency of scattered light. Step 3: Note that the Nobel Prize committee recognised his work on this new type of scattering of light. Step 4: Among the given options, the term that directly matches this work is scattering.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical records state that the citation for Raman Nobel Prize mentions his work on the scattering of light and the discovery of the effect named after him. Physics textbooks in optics chapters often discuss Raman scattering and emphasise that it earned him the Nobel Prize. This consistent reference across reliable sources confirms that scattering is the correct phenomenon in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b (Diffraction): Diffraction involves the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles and apertures and is not the main subject of Raman Nobel Prize work. Option c (Interference): Interference refers to the superposition of waves leading to patterns of maxima and minima, studied extensively by other scientists. Option d (Polarization): Polarization is about the direction of the electric field vector in a wave, not the frequency shift in scattered light that Raman discovered. Option e (Photoelectric effect): The photoelectric effect deals with emission of electrons from metal surfaces when light shines on them and is associated with work by Einstein, not Raman.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different optical phenomena and famous experiments. For example, diffraction, interference, and polarization are also classic topics in wave optics, but they are associated with different historical figures and experiments. The easiest way to remember is that Raman discovered a new aspect of scattering of light and that the term Raman scattering is itself widely used in spectroscopy and material analysis.

Final Answer:
Sir C. V. Raman received the Nobel Prize for his work on Scattering of light, specifically the Raman effect.