Chapter 23: Problem 85
A helium ion (He\(^{++}\)) that comes within about 10 fm of the center of the nucleus of an atom in the sample may induce a nuclear reaction instead of simply scattering. Imagine a helium ion with a kinetic energy of 3.0 MeV heading straight toward an atom at rest in the sample. Assume that the atom stays fixed. What minimum charge can the nucleus of the atom have such that the helium ion gets no closer than 10 fm from the center of the atomic nucleus? (1 fm = 1 \(\times\) 10\(^{-15}\) m, and \(e\) is the magnitude of the charge of an electron or a proton.) (a) 2\(e\); (b) 11\(e\); (c) 20\(e\); (d) 22\(e\).
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.