What Forces Act Between Alpha Particles in Unstable Nuclei?

[snowborder456]

1. The Nucleus of 8Be, which consists of 4 protons and 4 neutrons, is very unstable and spontaneously breaks into two alpha particles (helium nuclei, each consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons) (a) What is the force between the two alpha particles when they are
5*10^-15 m apart, and (b) what will be the magnitude of the acceleration of the alpha particles due to this force? Note that the mass of an alpha particle is 4.0026 u


Equations:

Coulomb's law: (k*(q1)*(q2))/r^2


Attempt:

i did k* (1.6*10^-19)2/ (5*10^-15) for part A and did not get the right answer which is supposed to be 36.8 N

- could someone please tell me how i am supposed to get that answer

- also i am not sure what equation to use for part 2

 

[andrevdh]

You need to square both the distance and double the charge.