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ZombieJohn
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Ok so my problem is I have absolutely no idea where to start. I have been able to figure out other problems but this I can't get my head around. I am unsure as to the equations I need to use for collisions and how to obtain the correct answer.
A nuclear reactor (see below) contains nuclei that fission when bombarded by slow neutrons. The fission reaction produces fast neutrons which need to be moderated (i.e. slowed down) in collisions before they can cause further fissions. In this problem we consider a reactor which uses graphite (i.e. carbon) as moderator. Assume the neutron and carbon nuclear masses are 1.67 × 10–27 kg and 20.0 × 10–27 kg respectively.
Consider a head-on collision between a neutron with speed 11.0 Mm/s and a stationary carbon nucleus.
(i) Calculate the speed of the neutron after the collision Mm/s
(ii) Calculate the speed of the carbon nucleus after the collision Mm/s
(b) An unstable atomic nucleus of mass 17.0 × 10–27 kg which is at rest disintegrates into three particles. One of the particles, of mass 5.00 × 10–27 kg, moves in the y direction with speed 4.00 Mm/s. Another, with mass 8.40 × 10–27 kg, moves in the x direction with speed 6.00 Mm/s .
(i) Calculate the x component of velocity of the third particleMm/s
(ii) Calculate the y component of velocity of the third particle Mm/s
(iii) Calculate the kinetic energy released in the process fJ
Ok so my problem is I have absolutely no idea where to start. I have been able to figure out other problems but this I can't get my head around. I am unsure as to the equations I need to use for collisions and how to obtain the correct answer.
Homework Statement
A nuclear reactor (see below) contains nuclei that fission when bombarded by slow neutrons. The fission reaction produces fast neutrons which need to be moderated (i.e. slowed down) in collisions before they can cause further fissions. In this problem we consider a reactor which uses graphite (i.e. carbon) as moderator. Assume the neutron and carbon nuclear masses are 1.67 × 10–27 kg and 20.0 × 10–27 kg respectively.
Consider a head-on collision between a neutron with speed 11.0 Mm/s and a stationary carbon nucleus.
(i) Calculate the speed of the neutron after the collision Mm/s
(ii) Calculate the speed of the carbon nucleus after the collision Mm/s
(b) An unstable atomic nucleus of mass 17.0 × 10–27 kg which is at rest disintegrates into three particles. One of the particles, of mass 5.00 × 10–27 kg, moves in the y direction with speed 4.00 Mm/s. Another, with mass 8.40 × 10–27 kg, moves in the x direction with speed 6.00 Mm/s .
(i) Calculate the x component of velocity of the third particleMm/s
(ii) Calculate the y component of velocity of the third particle Mm/s
(iii) Calculate the kinetic energy released in the process fJ
Ok so my problem is I have absolutely no idea where to start. I have been able to figure out other problems but this I can't get my head around. I am unsure as to the equations I need to use for collisions and how to obtain the correct answer.
