- #1
diffusion
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Homework Statement
A particle of mass 1.00u traveling at speed v, collides with a stationary Cu nucleus of mass 62.93u, and rebounds in the exact opposite direction with a speed of .9687v. What is the recoil velocity of the Cu atom, in terms of v?
Homework Equations
F=ma
P=mv
The Attempt at a Solution
If the recoil of the proton is .9687v and the initial velocity was v, then in order to satisfy conservation of momentum, .0313u/v must be transferred to the Cu atom. To solve for velocity of the Cu atom, use p=mv; 0.0313 = 62.93 x v. Therefore v = 0.0005v.
Am I correct or just going in the completely wrong direction here?