What does the impact parameter represent in particle scattering?

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The impact parameter in particle scattering represents the perpendicular distance from the trajectory of an incoming particle to the center of the target particle. It indicates how close the incoming particle would come to the target if no scattering occurred. A smaller impact parameter suggests a more direct hit, while a larger one indicates a glancing blow or potential miss. Understanding the impact parameter is crucial for analyzing scattering events and predicting outcomes. This concept is fundamental in the study of particle physics and collision dynamics.
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can anyone tell me what the impact parameter represents in a simple scattering of particles?
 
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whether you hit the particle dead center, or some distance from dead center (as to glance, or miss even).
 
nolanp2 said:
can anyone tell me what the impact parameter represents in a simple scattering of particles?
The impact parameter is the distance of closest approach to the scattering center you would have if there were no scattering.
 

Thread 'Mousetrap Car Energy efficiency'

For simple comparison, I think the same thought process can be followed as a block slides down a hill, - for block down hill, simple starting PE of mgh to final max KE 0.5mv^2 - comparing PE1 to max KE2 would result in finding the work friction did through the process. efficiency is just 100*KE2/PE1. If a mousetrap car travels along a flat surface, a starting PE of 0.5 k th^2 can be measured and maximum velocity of the car can also be measured. If energy efficiency is defined by...
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