Proton Velocity After Atom Release: An Overview

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the velocity of protons when they are released from atoms, specifically in the context of processes such as fission and proton bombardment. Participants explore the factors influencing proton velocity and the potential for a spectrum of energies rather than a single standard velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the velocity of a proton upon release is not standard and depends on the specific process involved in its release.
  • There is a proposal that different processes, such as fission or proton bombardment, result in protons acquiring varying kinetic energies based on the energy of the incident particles.
  • One participant draws a parallel to the photoelectric effect, arguing that the energy of the incoming protons affects the outgoing protons' velocities, leading to a spectrum of energies rather than a single value.
  • Another participant notes that while there is a limit to proton velocity, which is the speed of light, the actual velocity depends on the energy release of the process and the masses of the products involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the velocity of protons upon release is not fixed and is influenced by various factors. However, there is no consensus on the existence of a standard velocity or the specifics of the processes that determine it.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of proton emission processes and the dependence on various physical parameters, but does not resolve the specifics of these influences or the existence of a theoretical framework governing them.

Element115
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Is there a standard velocity for a proton when and if it is released from an atom?
 
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No, it depends on the process, how it is released, but what kind of process do you have in mind?
 
Either by fission, or by proton bombardment that displaces existing protons from the target atom. Thanks for the reply.
 
Element115 said:
Either by fission, or by proton bombardment that displaces existing protons from the target atom. Thanks for the reply.

But think about it. Assuming that you have some knowledge of photoelectric effect, can't you see a similar phenomenon here? I can shoot protons (or neutrons, etc) of varying energies at an atom. Such energies will be used to liberate the protons in the atoms, but depending on the collision, the protons will also take various fractions of the primary proton energy for their kinetic energy. This results in a spectrum of proton energies.

So why would there be only one "standard" velocity or energy of such outgoing protons?

Zz.
 
I thought perhaps there might be a constant or a proposed theory or real data about the limits on the velocity of proton emission.
 
Element115 said:
I thought perhaps there might be a constant or a proposed theory or real data about the limits on the velocity of proton emission.

Read your original post again. You said no such thing.

The limit to the proton velocity is c.

Zz.
 
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Yes there is a limit to the energy of the proton and it depends on the process's energy release and the products' masses...
 

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