How Much Lithium Scatters on an Iron Plate Per Second?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the scattering of lithium atoms on an iron plate and subsequent interactions with a neutron target. It is situated within the context of nuclear physics, specifically focusing on scattering processes and particle interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss calculating the original lithium flux and its interaction with the iron plate, questioning the relevance of the angle and distance to the neutron plate.
  • Some participants explore the use of equations related to Coulomb scattering and the geometry of the problem, while others express uncertainty about the number of targets in the iron plate and how to incorporate density into their calculations.
  • There is a focus on understanding how to derive the number of scattered lithium atoms and the implications of the scattering angle.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing equations and attempting to clarify their understanding of the problem. Some have begun to formulate expressions for the number of interactions, while others are still grappling with the implications of the given parameters and how they relate to the overall calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of the density of the iron plate and the area of the flux, as well as the need to understand the geometry of the scattering process. There is a recognition that assumptions about the beam's shape may influence the calculations.

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Homework Statement


Every second ##N_{Li}=2\cdot 10^8## atoms of ##_3^7Li## with kinetic energy ##30 MeV## is Coulomb scattering on ##_{26}^{56}Fe## plate ##d_{Fe}=0.3mm## thick with density ##\rho =7800kg/m^3##. Under angle of ##30^°## and ##r=0.2m## away from the plate we have a target with surface ##S_n=1cm^2## that contains ##N_n=6\cdot 10^{22}## neutrons.

a) How many Lithium (N) falls on the neutron plate each second?
b) How many Lithium (N') per second deviate due to the scattering on neutron plate? You can say that ##\sigma _n=0.2\cdot 10^{-28} m^2## for one of the Li.


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Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Can I ask before I show my work? :))

Is it ok if I calculate how much of the original Lithium flux overcomes the Fe plate, where it Coulomb scatters? This should than be the answer to part a) or is it not?

All I am trying to say is that I don't get it why the angle of neutron plate and the distance is important? (not even for part b))
 
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Is it ok if I calculate how much of the original Lithium flux overcomes the Fe plate
Would that be in the forward direction ? None of those reach te neutron plate ! What relevant equations do you have available to tackle this problem ?
 
Well I somehow have to find out how many are scattered in ##d\omega =\frac{dS}{r^2}## I just don't know how.

Equations:

Coulomb

##\frac{\mathrm{d} \sigma }{\mathrm{d} \Omega }=(\frac{e_1e_2}{16\pi \epsilon _0T})^2\frac{1}{sin^4(\theta /2)}##

For scattering on one particle: ##d \Omega (\frac{\mathrm{d} \sigma }{\mathrm{d} \Omega })=\frac{N}{jdt}## where N is number of particles scattered in ##d\theta ## and ##j## initial flux.

also

##N=\frac{N_pN_t\sigma}{S}## where N is number of reactions, ##N_p## number of projectiles and ##N_t## number of targets.

That's more or less all I have.
 
Coulomb expression: Well, there is a theta in there ! So the angle is needed. Now about the distance. Where is that hiding ? Or is it absent ? Once that is answered, your conditions for showing your work are fulfilled!
 
##d\Omega =\frac{dS}{r^2}##

BUT

##N_td\Omega (\frac{d\sigma }{d\Omega })=\frac{N_{on sensor}}{jdt}##

My question: How do I find out the number of Fe in a plate, ##N_t## ? I know nothing about area size of flux.
 
What about looking around in the given data ? ##\rho## for example ? Area size of flux divides out (you may assume the beam is like a pencil ray). I don't see it in your worked out thingy anyway (?)
 
BvU said:
What about looking around in the given data ? ##\rho## for example ? Area size of flux divides out (you may assume the beam is like a pencil ray). I don't see it in your worked out thingy anyway (?)

I haven't shown anything yet because I don't think that size of flux divides out.

Let's take a look:

Let me use notation ##N_x## instead of ##N_{on sensor}##.

##N_td\Omega (\frac{d\sigma }{d\Omega })=\frac{N_{x}}{jdt}##

##\frac{N_x}{dt}=N_tjd\Omega (\frac{d\sigma }{d\Omega })=N_tj\frac{dS}{r^2} (\frac{e_1e_2}{16\pi \epsilon _0T})^2\frac{1}{sin^4(\theta /2)}##

Now ##N_t=\frac{mN_a}{M}=\frac{\rho S d N_a}{M}##. Now here is where it all stops. What am I supposed to do with that S in the numerator?
 
Ahhh ok, I see it now. Why does this happen to me? O.o Why do i see it now and not days ago?

##j=N/tS##

So ##\frac{N_x}{dt}=N_tjd\Omega (\frac{d\sigma }{d\Omega })=(\frac{\rho S d N_a}{M})\frac{N_0}{tS}\frac{dS}{r^2} (\frac{e_1e_2}{16\pi \epsilon _0T})^2\frac{1}{sin^4(\theta /2)}##

So the answer should be:

##\frac{N_x}{dt}=\frac{\rho d N_a}{M} \frac{N_0}{t}\frac{dS}{r^2} (\frac{e_1e_2}{16\pi \epsilon _0T})^2\frac{1}{sin^4(\theta /2)}##
 

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