How Do You Calculate Theta and Helium's Velocity After a Neutron Collision?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angle theta and the velocity of a helium nucleus after a neutron collision. The neutron has an initial velocity of 5E5 m/s and a mass of 1.66E-27 kg, while the helium nucleus has a mass of 4(1.66E-27 kg) and an initial velocity of 3.7E5 m/s. The conservation of momentum principle is essential for solving the problem, requiring the analysis of velocity components in both x and y directions. The final speed of the neutron post-collision remains 5E5 m/s, moving in the same direction as the helium nucleus.

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  • Understanding of conservation of momentum in collisions
  • Familiarity with 2D kinematics
  • Knowledge of vector decomposition
  • Basic physics concepts regarding neutron and helium nuclei
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Homework Statement


A neutron with velocity 5E5 m/s and a mass of 1.66E-27 collides with a helium nucleus, mass of 4(1.66E-27) with a velocity of 3.7E5 m/s as shown. If the speed of the neutron after collision is 5E5 m/s and it is moving in the direction of motion of the nucleus after collision, find theta, and velocity of Helium (Prime).
Diagram shown in attachment.
*also the angle 39 + theta does not equal 90 degrees

Homework Equations



P = mv

The Attempt at a Solution


None, I know absolutely nothing about this..
My teacher assigned it to us and expects us to solve it somehow..
Please if someone could lead my through the steps of solving it..It'd be greatly appreciated.

Don't expect me to know anything..
 

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You apply the same basic principles of conservation of momentum, only now, you have to analyze it in components.
 
Which I do not know because I never learned it hah :/
I said I don't know anything about momentum :/
 
If you've done 2D kinematics, it should be really simple. Just remember the formula for conservation of momentum:

6393f9ed3185e9cac5f055f0041dbc63.png

where u1 and u2 are the velocities before collision, and v1 and v2 are the velocities after collision.

Split each velocity vector up into components and solve for what needs to be solved. So you should have the same equation (^) for both components except one will be analyzing the velocity vectors in the x -direction and one in the y-direction.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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