Distance of closest approach of particles

[KillerZ]

Homework Statement

A proton (q = 1e, m = 1u) and an alpha particle (q = +2e, m = 4u) are fired directly toward each other from far away, with an initial speed of 0.01c. What is their distance of closest approach, as measured between their centers? (Hint: There are two conserved quantities. Make use of both.)

Homework Equations

K_i + U_i = K_f + U_f

m_1v_{1i} + m_2v_{2i} = m_1v_{1f} + m_2v_{2f}

The Attempt at a Solution

How does this look?

e = 1.60 * 10^{-19} C
c = 3.00 * 10^8 m/s
u = 1.661 * 10^{-27} kg

m_1v_{1i} + m_2v_{2i} = m_1v_{1f} + m_2v_{2f}
(4u)(3 * 10^8 m/s) - (u)(3 * 10^8 m/s) = (4u + u)v_{f}

v_{f} = \frac{(4u)(3 * 10^8 m/s) - (u)(3 * 10^8 m/s)}{(4u + u)}
v_{f} = 1.80 * 10^8 m/s

\frac{1}{2}(m_{1}+m_{2})v_{f}^{2} + \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}(\frac{q1q2}{\infty}) = \frac{1}{2}(m_{1}+m_{2})v_{i}^{2} + \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}(\frac{q1q2}{r})

\frac{1}{2}(4u + u)(1.80*10^8 m/s)^{2} = \frac{1}{2}(4u + u)(3.00*10^8 m/s)^{2} + \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}(\frac{2(1.60*10^{-19} C)(1.60*10^{-19} C)}{r})

4\pi\epsilon_0(\frac{1}{2}(4u + u)(1.80*10^8 m/s)^{2} - \frac{1}{2}(4u + u)(3.00*10^8 m/s)^{2}) = (\frac{2(1.60*10^{-19} C)(1.60*10^{-19} C)}{r})

r= \frac{2(1.60*10^{-19} C)(1.60*10^{-19} C)}{4\pi\epsilon_0(\frac{1}{2}(4u + u)(1.80*10^8 m/s)^{2} - \frac{1}{2}(4u + u)(3.00*10^8 m/s)^{2})}

r = -1.92 * 10^{-18} m

 

[AssyriaQ]

This might sound stupid (I am tired...) but, did not the problem state that the initial speed was 0.01c? As far as I can see, you used c as initial speed.

 

[Dadface]

Use K.E. lost =P.E. gained.Consider the electrical P.E. only since the gravitational P.E.can be considerd as negligible.Also,the question is phrased in such a way that you can take the original separation to be infinite.