Asked by Cristina
A 238U nucleus is moving in the x-direction at 5.0x10^5m/s when it decays into an alpha particle (4He) and a 234Th nucleus. The alpha moves at 1.4x10^7 m/s at 22 degrees above the x-axis. Find the recoil velocity of the thorium.
I know that the original x momentum is 238*5.0*10^5 which is equal to 1.19x10^8 and the original y momentum is 0. I'm confused where to go after this.
I know that the original x momentum is 238*5.0*10^5 which is equal to 1.19x10^8 and the original y momentum is 0. I'm confused where to go after this.
Answers
Answered by
Scott
momentum is conserved
find the momenta in x and y for the two decay products
the two y momenta add to zero, and the two x momenta equal the original
add the vectors to find the 234Th velocity
find the momenta in x and y for the two decay products
the two y momenta add to zero, and the two x momenta equal the original
add the vectors to find the 234Th velocity
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