Calculating Final Speed in Elastic Collision: Uranium Atom and Hydrogen Molecule

In summary, a uranium atom traveling at 4 m/s collides elastically with a stationary hydrogen molecule. The approximate final speed of the hydrogen molecule is about 8*10^4 m/s. The attempt at a solution involves using the conservation laws and relative masses of the particles in question to calculate the final speed of the hydrogen molecule. Several attempts have been made but have been unsuccessful.
  • #1
weizhi li
1
0

Homework Statement


a uranium atom traveling at speed 4 *
cramster-equation-20095141845396337792353984075008046.gif
m/s collides elastically with astationary hydrogen molcule. head on. what is the approximate finalspeed of the hydrogen molecule?

Homework Equations


The answer is about 8*10^4 m/s

But, i tried many times and failed.

The Attempt at a Solution


MY thought is that the speed of uranium atom after collision should be the same but in different direction, which means the momentum of hydrogen after collision is 2*p1(p1 is uranium momentum before collision). and use this to calculate the speed by plugging into the formula k = p^2 / 2m
 
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  • #2
The problem is an exercise in elastic collision. Your relevant equations should include formulas that pertain to elastic collisions. In particular, the conservation laws that are applicable. You also need to look up the relative masses of the particles in question.
 

Related to Calculating Final Speed in Elastic Collision: Uranium Atom and Hydrogen Molecule

1. What is an elastic collision?

An elastic collision is a type of collision in which there is no loss of kinetic energy. This means that the total kinetic energy of the system before and after the collision remains the same.

2. What is the difference between an elastic collision and an inelastic collision?

In an elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the system remains constant, while in an inelastic collision, some kinetic energy is lost and converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound.

3. Is momentum conserved in an elastic collision?

Yes, momentum is always conserved in an elastic collision. This means that the total momentum of the system before and after the collision remains the same.

4. Can an elastic collision occur between two objects of different masses?

Yes, an elastic collision can occur between two objects of different masses. The relative velocities of the objects will determine the resulting velocities after the collision.

5. What are some real-life examples of elastic collisions?

A bouncing ball, a game of billiards, and a game of ping pong are all examples of elastic collisions. In each of these scenarios, the objects involved collide without any loss of kinetic energy, resulting in a rebound or bouncing motion.

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