Low energy elastic differential electron scattering from H2O

Normalized differential cross sections for elastic (rotationally averaged) electron scattering from gaseous water (H2O) are obtained using the relative flow method against helium with a thin aperture collimating source of gas instead of a tube. This method obviates the use of gas kinetic molecular diameters for helium or water. Our measurements are found to be largely in quantitative disagreement with past differential elastic electron scattering measurements and suggest that present recommended electron scattering total cross sections for water be revised.