The differential cross section (DCS), Stokes parameters, and the STU parame
ters for electron scattering from a cesium atom are calculated by two kinds
of distorted-wave methods, each including different relativistic effects.
Comparing our results with those from the relativistic distorted-wave metho
d of the Toronto group, we find that, at an incident electron energy of 50
eV, the direct relativistic effect is more important than the indirect rela
tivistic effect for cesium. Further the direct relativistic effect leads to
the invalidity of the "fine-structure approximation'' for the case of cesi
um. We also calculated the DCS and the Stokes parameters for an electron-go
ld collision at incident electron energy of 50 eV. Unlike the cesium case,
the indirect relativistic effect is more important for gold.