- #1
Mdhiggenz
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Homework Statement
The nucleus of Po^214 decays radioactively by emitting an alpha particle (mass 6.65×10−27 kg) with kinetic energy 1.16×10−12 J, as measured in the laboratory reference frame.
a) Assuming that the Po was initially at rest in this frame, find the magnitude of the recoil velocity of the nucleus that remains after the decay.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
My approach to the problem was using the fact that K1=K2
I then solved for Vf by doing the following
k1=1/2mvf2
squareroot(2k1/m)=vf
squareroot[2(1.23*10^-12j)/(6.65*10^-27kg)]= 1.92*10^7
What I am confused about is my books solution manual does something else as well they use the following formula after they acquire the value above: mfvf+mnvn=0
They solve for vn and get
vn=[(6.65*10^-27)/(3.50*10^-25kg)]*1.92*10^7=3.65*10^5
I don't understand how they get 3.50*10^-25, and why its necessary to solve for vn.
Thank you