Question

An alpha particle approaches a uranium nucleus as 1e6 m/s what is the closest this particle will get to the nucleus

how do you set this problem up? thanks!

Answer 1

set its original KEnergy equal to the PE at the closest point.


1/2 massalpha*1E12=kq1*q2/r
solve for r

Answer 2

wait
but kqq/r2 is the equation for a force
not an energy