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AznBoi
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Here is a problem that I'm not sure of how to start. Please give me advice on the correct procedures I have to use. Thanks!
Problem: A neutron in a reactor makes an elastic head-on collision with a carbon atom that is initially at rest. (The mass of the carbon nucleus is about 12 times that of the neutron.) a) What fraction of the neutron's kinetic energy is transferred to the carbon nucleus? b) If the neutron's initial kinetic energy is 1.6 x 10^-13 J, finds its final kinetic energy and the kinetic engery of the carbon nucleus after the collision.
I'm confused on how to start this problem. They only give you 2 masses but you don't know any of the velocities.
Well I used the KE(initial)=KE(final)
and I used x as the mass for the neutron and 12x as the mass for the carbon.
So then I have: (1/2)x(v1)^2=(1/2)x(v1')^2 + (1/2)12x(v2')^2
Am I even going in the right direction?? Well I just divided both sides by (x), multiplied both sides by 2, and square rooted both sides and i got:
v1=v1'+sqrt.(12)v2
Problem: A neutron in a reactor makes an elastic head-on collision with a carbon atom that is initially at rest. (The mass of the carbon nucleus is about 12 times that of the neutron.) a) What fraction of the neutron's kinetic energy is transferred to the carbon nucleus? b) If the neutron's initial kinetic energy is 1.6 x 10^-13 J, finds its final kinetic energy and the kinetic engery of the carbon nucleus after the collision.
I'm confused on how to start this problem. They only give you 2 masses but you don't know any of the velocities.
Well I used the KE(initial)=KE(final)
and I used x as the mass for the neutron and 12x as the mass for the carbon.
So then I have: (1/2)x(v1)^2=(1/2)x(v1')^2 + (1/2)12x(v2')^2
Am I even going in the right direction?? Well I just divided both sides by (x), multiplied both sides by 2, and square rooted both sides and i got:
v1=v1'+sqrt.(12)v2