Solve for v2Plutonium-239 Decay: Find Speed of Uranium-235

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To solve for the speed of the uranium-235 nucleus resulting from the decay of plutonium-239, one must apply conservation of momentum. The decay emits an alpha particle with a kinetic energy of 5.15 MeV, which can be converted to speed using its mass. The masses of the plutonium-239 and uranium-235 nuclei are necessary for calculations, and users are encouraged to look these up. The momentum equation m1v1 = -m2v2 will be used, where m1 is the mass of the alpha particle and m2 is the mass of the uranium nucleus. This approach will lead to determining the speed of the uranium-235 nucleus post-decay.
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Homework Statement




A plutonium-239 nucleus at rest decays into a uranium-235 nucleus by emitting an alpha particle (4He) with kinetic energy of 5.15 MeV.

Find the speed of the uranium nucleus.

The Attempt at a Solution



How should I approach this problem?

m1v1=-m2v2
 
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yeah, keep going. So, what is m2 and m1 ?
 
BruceW said:
yeah, keep going. So, what is m2 and m1 ?


Its not given?
 
I guess you are meant to look them up.
 
You know the masses, but need the speed of the alpha particle. Calculate it from the given KE.

ehild
 

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