Determine the angle of the neutron

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The discussion focuses on an elastic collision between a neutron and a helium nucleus, where the neutron's initial speed is 7.0 × 105 m/s and the helium nucleus has a mass four times that of the neutron. The helium nucleus moves off at an angle of 45° after the collision. The participants derive equations based on conservation of momentum and kinetic energy to determine the neutron's angle θ'1 and its final speed vn', as well as the speed of the helium nucleus vHe' after the collision. The user successfully resolved the algebraic complexities involved in the calculations.

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A neutron collides elastically with a helium nucleus (at rest initially) whose mass is four times that of the neutron. The helium nucleus is observed to move off at an angle θ'2 = 45° from the neutron's initial direction. The neutron's initial speed is 7.0 × 105 m/s.

a) Determine the angle of the neutron, θ'1, measured from its initial direction.
_____°

b) What is the speed of the neutron, vn', after the collision?
_____m/s

c) What is the speed of the helium nucleus, vHe', after the collision?
_____m/s

x direction: m1*7.0x10^5+0=m1*v1'*Cosθn+4*m1*v2'*Cos45

y direction: 0=-m1*v1'*Sinθn+4*m1*v2'*Sin45

Change in KE: 1/2*m1*(7.0x10^5)^2=1/2*m1*v1'^2+1/2*4*m1*v2'^2

I know mass cancels and I need to do algebra to figure out the answer, but I am having trouble doing the algebra with so many unknowns.
Can anyone lend me a helping hand?
 
Last edited:
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I figured it out ;)
 

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