The fully differential cross section for the electron-impact ionization of
atomic hydrogen is analysed at an incident energy of 27.2 eV. The cross sec
tions are calculated using a variety of theoretical models whose prediction
s are compared. It is seen that, as at higher impact energies, the angular
distribution basically consists of two peaks which, at first sight, can be
assigned to binary and recoil processes. However we show that the similarit
y is somewhat illusory in that the shape and position of the two peaks depe
nd sensitively on the detection geometry and the energy sharing between the
two electrons. Furthermore, the final-state electron-electron repulsion an
d the effects of exchange symmetry contribute significantly to the form of
the observed angular distributions.