Impact Parameter of Alpha Particle Rutherford

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In the Rutherford scattering experiment, a beam of alpha particles bombards a thin gold foil, and the impact parameter is calculated based on the scattering angle and kinetic energy. The formula used is b = (rmin/2)cot(theta/2), where rmin is derived from the interaction parameters of the particles. The initial calculation for rmin yielded an order of magnitude consistent with expectations, but the final impact parameter result of 3.52 *10^-15 m was incorrect. The error was identified as a miscalculation in converting the energy from MeV to joules. Correcting the energy value is crucial for obtaining the accurate impact parameter.
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In the Rutherford scattering experiment a very thin gold foil target is bombarded with a beam of a particles of known kinetic energy. A detector which can be moved on a circle around the target counts the scattered particles. What was the impact parameter of a 4.57 MeV a particle if it was detected at 52.4 degree angle?

Im using b= (rmin/2)cot(theta/2) where rmin = Z1Z2e^2/4piEok

so i have ((2)(79)(1.6*10^-19 c)^2 / (4.57 *10^6 eV)(1.6*10^-9 J/eV) ) * 8.99*10^9 Jm/c ...and got 3.46 *10^-15 is this right so far? ...i got 8.99*10^9 by (1/4piEo) ...thanks
 
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The order of magnitude for r_{min} is good,indeed there is fermi/femtometer.Compute "b" now...

Daniel.
 
i then get an answe of 3.52 *10^-15 m ...but this is not the correct answer ... i don't know what i did wrong
 
Devious...Make sure you insert correct numerical values.The energy (which is supposed to be in the denominator) is 4.57MeV=4.57*1.6*10^{6}*10^{-19}J...

Daniel.
 
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