Find the initial electric potential energy of alpha particle

Reference no: EM13309590

In alpha decay, an alpha particle (a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons) escapes from a heavy nucleus and is propelled away by electrostatic forces. For example, a radon nucleus (atomic number 86) will spontaneously transform into a polonium nucleus (atomic number 84) and an alpha particle. Immediately after this transformation, both the polonium nucleus and the alpha particle can be assumed to be at rest and separated by approximately 50 x 10-15 m.

a. What is the initial electric potential energy of the alpha particle?

b. What is the velocity of the alpha particle when it is far from the polonium nucleus? Since the polonium nucleus is much more massive than the alpha particle, assume the polonium stays approximately at rest.

c. How far from the polonium nucleus is the alpha particle when it achieves 90% of the velocity calculated in (b)?

Reference no: EM13309590

Questions Cloud

Find the expression for the new velocity : A point charge +q of mass m, (m,+q) is placed at point P along the x-axis where V_r(infinity) is known. Find the expression for the new velocity at the second point

Explain the second-order equation at low pressures : Derive the rate law, and show that this reaction may follow the first-order equation at high pressures and the second-order equation at low pressures.

Find the impac energy absorbed in breaking the specimens : A Riehle Impact Testing Machine was used to break the specemins and the reading gave 68ft/lb, 66ft/lb, 64ft/lb, 69ft/lb and 63ft/lb. The cross section dimensions of the Charpy were measured to be 0.320in and 0.397in.

Federal governments efforts to improve system quality : The federal government's efforts to improve system quality are represented by which of the following?

Find the initial electric potential energy of alpha particle : In alpha decay, an alpha particle (a helium nucleus consisting of two protons and two neutrons) escapes from a heavy nucleus, find the initial electric potential energy of the alpha particle

Can gained competitive advantages be sustained : What are some internal (e.g. organisational, individual, and management factors) and external factors (e.g. market, industry, social, economic, technological and political/policy factors) influencing the success or failure of organisations' attemp..

The goals of system improvement : The goals of system improvement are to______

Define naoh are needed to react completely with cl3 solution : How many mL of 0.450 M NaOH are needed to react completely with 25.0 mL of 0.250 M Fe Cl3 solution? FeCl3 aq + 3NaOH arrow to Fe(OH)3 aq +3NaCl aq

Compute the electric field at the surface of the sphere : A van de Graaff generator consists of a conducting sphere of radius 20 cm supported on a long insulating tube. What is the electric field at the surface of the sphere

User Account

All Pages