In this study, the authors measured the ratio of the peak area of photoelectrons from s-orbitals to that of the p-orbitals for six elements (Al, Si, Cu, Mo, Ag and Au) resulting in eight s : p ratios. We used two angles (90° and 54.7°) between the incident X-ray beam and the photoelectron detector to investigate elastic scattering effects on the distribution of photoemission from the samples. The data obtained were compared to calculated values. When elastic scattering effects are accounted for, the ratio of s- to p-orbitals by XPS should be independent of angle. The experimental results from five of the eight elemental ratios showed this angular independence. We believe that other effects, such as electron diffraction, will be need to be considered in order to get complete agreement.