Question

When an alpha particle collides elastically with a nucleus the nucleus recoils. A 5.00-MeV alpha particle has a head-on elastic collision with a gold nucleus, initially at rest. (a) What is the distance of closest approach of the alpha particle to the recoiling nucleus? (Hint: At closest approach the alpha particle and the recoiling nucleus are moving with the same velocity in the laboratory reference frame.) (b) How does this compare with the result one gets if, as in Example 2, we assume the target nucleus to remain at rest?

ans: (a) 46.4 fm. (b) 45.5 fm

Answer 1

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