How Much Lithium Scatters on an Iron Plate Per Second?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on calculating the number of lithium atoms scattering on an iron plate and subsequently reaching a neutron plate. The key parameters include a lithium atom flux of ##N_{Li}=2\cdot 10^8## atoms per second, a Coulomb scattering cross-section of ##\sigma_n=0.2\cdot 10^{-28} m^2##, and a plate thickness of ##d_{Fe}=0.3mm##. The calculations involve using the Coulomb scattering formula and the relationship between the number of projectiles and targets to determine the number of lithium atoms that deviate due to scattering. The angle of incidence and distance from the plate are critical factors in these 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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