Abstract
Measurement of a system's Compton profile makes possible, in principle, the calculation of its electronic radial momentum distribution. From this quantity, the expectation values ⟨pn⟩ and the total energy may be obtained. The feasibility of using Compton-scattering data in this way is examined in view of the limitations imposed by (i) random experimental errors on the measured profile, and (ii) restriction of the profile data to a finite range of momenta. It is concluded that while present techniques may be adequate for a few systems, improved experimental methods are required before Compton scattering becomes a useful source of atomic and molecular energies.