- #1
bobsmith76
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Homework Statement
Consider a nuclear reaction in which a neutron traveling 1.0 × 107 m/s in the +x direction collides with a proton traveling 5.0 × 106 m/s in the +y direction. They combine at impact to form a new particle called a “deuteron.” What is the magnitude of the deuteron velocity? Assume for simplicity that the proton and neutron have the same mass.
Homework Equations
a2 + b2 = c2
The Attempt at a Solution
I would think you would just use the pythagorean theorem to solve the problem. When you do that you get 1.1 * 107 The textbook says the answer is 5.6 * 106