Speed of proton and alpha particle

AI Thread Summary
An alpha particle, four times the mass of a proton and charged +2e, is initially at rest near a stationary proton. When they move apart, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is calculated using the equations for electrical energy and kinetic energy. The discussion revolves around determining the speeds of both particles when they are infinitely far apart. Key questions include which particle moves faster and the fraction of total kinetic energy attributed to the faster particle. The solution requires a comparison of their velocities based on their mass and energy distribution.
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Homework Statement


An alpha particle (4 times the mass of a proton with a charge of +2e) is at rest 1.0 * 10^-12 m from a stationary proton. The 2 particles immediately move apart. Find the speed of each particle when they are infinitely far from each other.


Homework Equations



Electrical Energy = kq1q2/r
Kinetic Energy = 0.5mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I used the equation kq1q2/r to find the potential energy of the system and converted the potential energy into 0.5mv^2 to solve for the velocity. I am not sure that I have the right answer.
 
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right approach ... but which one is moving faster? how many times as fast is it?
what fraction of the total KE does the fast one have?
 
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