Question

An object of mass M moving at speed v0 has a direct elastic collision with a second object of mass m that is at rest. Using the energy and momentum conservation principles, it can be shown that the final velocity of the object of mass M is v=(M−m)v0/(M+m).

Part A

Using this result, determine the final velocity of an alpha particle following a head-on collision with an electron at rest. The alpha particle's velocity before the collision is 0.010c; malpha=6.6×10−27kg; and melectron=9.11×10−31kg

Express your answer in terms of the speed of light c. Enter positive value if the direction of the velocity is the same as the direction of the initial velocity of the alpha particle, and negative value if the direction of the velocity is opposite to the direction of the initial velocity of the alpha particle.

v =

nothing

c

SubmitRequest Answer

Part B

Determine the final velocity of an alpha particle following a head-on collision with a gold nucleus at rest. The alpha particle's velocity before the collision is 0.010cc; malpha=6.6×10−27kg; and mgoldnucleus=3.3×10−25kg.

Express your answer in terms of the speed of light c. Enter positive value if the direction of the velocity is the same as the direction of the initial velocity of the alpha particle, and negative value if the direction of the velocity is opposite to the direction of the initial velocity of the alpha particle.

v =

nothing

c

SubmitRequest Answer

Part C

Based on your answers, could an alpha particle be deflected backward by hitting an electron in a gold atom?

yes

no

Answer 1