Alpha Particle Collision: Nucleus Distance

asdf1
Messages
734
Reaction score
0
why does an alpha particle have the smallest distance to an atom if it aprroaches the nucleus head on?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Because if the alpha comes in head on, it can convert all of its kinetic energy to potential energy, coming to a complete stop momentarily before rebounding in the opposite direction. If it doesn't come in head on, it never comes to a complete stop, so its maximum potential energy is smaller.
 
oh right!
thanks! :)
 

Similar threads

B What Happens to Very Energetic Protons After Collision?
Replies
16
Views
2K
A Interested in the LHC safety assessment - questions about strangelets
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Quasi-Elastic Scattering Peak-Shift
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Probing into protons with high-energy particles
Replies
10
Views
2K
A Energy needed to convert a bound proton to a neutron?
Replies
1
Views
2K
B Can alpha radiation make other materials radioactive?
Replies
6
Views
3K
I What would a hypothetical quark-quark collision yield?
Replies
4
Views
3K
I Alpha decay: why Helium nuclei?
Replies
8
Views
4K
I What kind of energy is released in a nuclear fusion reaction?
Replies
14
Views
3K
Why does an alpha particle have 40mm range in air?
Replies
2
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top