Momentum: Nucleus decays into 3

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    Momentum Nucleus
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in momentum related to a nucleus decaying into three particles, with a focus on calculating the momentum of the third particle based on the momentum conservation principle. The context involves components of momentum for two detected particles and the implications of the system starting from rest.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking down momentum into components and question the correctness of their initial calculations. There is a consideration of the total momentum being zero due to the system starting from rest, prompting discussions on how to set up equations for momentum conservation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants seeking clarification on the setup and assumptions of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the equations needed to analyze the momentum components, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the implications of the nucleus being initially at rest and how that affects the momentum calculations for the three resulting particles. There may be constraints related to the information provided for the third particle, which is not directly measured.

sweetpete28
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Can someone please help with this one? I'm not sure what to do here. I broke momentum for particles one and two into components (found m1v1cosθ1 + m2v2cosθ2 and m1v1sinθ1 + m2v2sinθ2) but this is not correct and I really don't know what to do. Please help!


A certain nucleus at rest suddenly decays into three particles, two of which are charged and can be easily detected. The data gathered for these two particles is:

Particle 1 has mass m1 = 3.00 x 10^-20 kg moving at speed v1 = 5.25 x 10^5 m/s at θ1 = 51.9o.

Particle 2 has mass m2 = 2.11 x 10^-25 kg moving at speed v2 = 1.10 x 10^7 m/s at θ2 = 220o.

Find p3, the momentum of the third piece in i-j notation
 
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Can anyone help? Since it started from rest should the total momentum be 0?
 
sweetpete28 said:
Can anyone help? Since it started from rest should the total momentum be 0?

Yes. Write up the sum of all the x and y components in separate equations and equate them to zero.

ehild
 
Thank you!
 
sweetpete28 said:
Thank you!

You are welcome. Have you got the correct solution?


ehild
 

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