The Compton effect is a phenomenon in which X-rays or gamma rays collide with electrons, resulting in a change in the wavelength of the radiation. This effect demonstrates the particle-like behavior of light, as the incoming photon transfers some of its energy to the electron, causing the photon to lose energy and increase in wavelength. Discovered by Arthur H. Compton in 1923, the Compton effect provided crucial evidence for the theory of quantum mechanics. It supports the idea that light can behave both as a wave and as a particle, contributing to our understanding of the dual nature of electromagnetic radiation.