Estimating Radii of Carbon & Oxygen Nuclei with Data

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating the radii of carbon and oxygen nuclei using diffraction data related to wave mechanics. The original poster presents a formula for determining scattering angles and provides specific data points for oxygen and carbon nuclei at various energies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster seeks guidance on how to apply the provided formula to estimate the nuclei radii, indicating some confusion about the problem's context. Some participants reflect on the relationship between wave mechanics and the problem, questioning the relevance of the term "wave mechanics" in this context.

Discussion Status

The discussion shows a mix of initial confusion and subsequent realization about the simplicity of the problem. While one participant expresses clarity, others continue to explore the conceptual underpinnings of the problem, particularly regarding wave mechanics.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a prior derivation related to momentum and kinetic energy, which may influence the understanding of the current problem. The original poster also notes a potential disconnect between the problem's title and its content.

mmh37
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This is supposed to be an easy question, but I appear to be slightly lost. Can anyone give me a hint on what to do here?

when waves of wavelength lamda are diffracted by a circular disc of diameter D the first minimum in the intensity of the scattered waves occurs at a scattering angle z given by

[tex]sin(z) = 1.22 * lamda / D[/tex]

First Minima occur (when scattered from Carbon and Oxygen nuclei)...


for Oxygen (16 O) with E = 420 MeV : z= 45°

for Oxygen (16 O) with E = 360 MeV: z= 53 °

for Carbon (12 C) with E= 420 MeV: z = 50.5°


USE THE ABOVE DATA TO ESTIMATE THE RADII OF THE CARBON AND OXYGEN NUCLEI!


______________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: ... that before I had do derive an expression for the momentum of the particle when it's kinetic energy is very much greater than it's rest mass energy mc^2

using the energy momentum invariant and neglecting the m^2c^4 term I said that:

[tex]E^2 = p^2*c^2 + m^2*c^4[/tex]

leads to

[tex]p = E/c[/tex]
 
Last edited:
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ok...this problem really was easy. I thought there would be much more to it than it actually was ...but yeah, it's simply dumping in numbers into the formula, solving for D, where D = 2r. Oooops! :blushing:
 
You know, people are used to finding something related to Schroedinger's equation when they see "wave mechanics"...

Daniel.
 
I know...that's why I was so confused. "Wave mechanics" is the heading to this problem on my sheet...I really don't see why!

Anyways...I am very sorry about having confused you!
 
Last edited:

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