Proton Collision and Coulomb Barrier

[AnniB]

Homework Statement

What temperature would be required for two protons to collide if quantum mechanical tunneling is neglected? Assume that nuclei having velocities ten times the root mean square (rms) value for the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution can overcome the Coulomb barrier (which you can consider to be overcome when r = 2 fm). Compare your answer with the estimated central temperature of the Sun.

Homework Equations

v_rms=\sqrt{}\frac{}{}(3kT/m)
Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution (?)

The Attempt at a Solution

I feel like I'm probably completely oversimplifying this problem, but in my mind I should just be able to find what the v_rms is for protons normally and then use v_rms find v_rms=10v_normal to find the velocity, and then plug it into the normal rms equation once more to find the temperature. My only problem is that I don't think there's any way this problem is THAT simple.

 

[member 553083]

I'm also not sure what the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution has to do with this problem. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!