Electric Potential
 

Electric Potential problem 27


An -particle is emitted from a radioactive source with kinetic energy of . The -particle travels in a vacuum directly towards a gold () nucleus, as illustrated in the figure below.




The -particle and the gold nucleus may be considered to be point charges in an isolated system.


  • Explain why, as the -particle approaches the gold nucleus, it comes to rest.


  • For the closest approach of the -particle to the gold nucleus, determine their separation,


 

main author and content editor: Ebenezer Famadewa