- #1
AStaunton
- 105
- 1
Problem is:
given the distance of closest approach in a coulombic fields is:
[tex]d=\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_{o}}\frac{Z_{1}Z_{2}}{mv^{2}}[/tex]
calculate the distance for two protons with velocity v=3X10^5 m/s and mass m=1.7X10^-27 kg
Can someone please advise on whether I should plug in the mass of an individual proton into the equation (the mass value I just stated), or should I use what I think is called the "weighted mass" given by:
[tex]\mu_{m}=\frac{m_{1}m_{2}}{m_{1}+m_{2}}[/tex]
where in my problem, m1=m2=mass of proton.
Similarly, what should be the value for velocity v to plug into equation? the velocity given for any of the two protons is what I stated above...but my concern is, should I assume a head on collision, in which case (by classical mechanics at least!) the velocity will be twice as large..to sum up what is the acceptable value for v and m to put into equation and also please advise on why this is the case and what is the standard way to interpret such problems.
Any feedback appreciated.
given the distance of closest approach in a coulombic fields is:
[tex]d=\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_{o}}\frac{Z_{1}Z_{2}}{mv^{2}}[/tex]
calculate the distance for two protons with velocity v=3X10^5 m/s and mass m=1.7X10^-27 kg
Can someone please advise on whether I should plug in the mass of an individual proton into the equation (the mass value I just stated), or should I use what I think is called the "weighted mass" given by:
[tex]\mu_{m}=\frac{m_{1}m_{2}}{m_{1}+m_{2}}[/tex]
where in my problem, m1=m2=mass of proton.
Similarly, what should be the value for velocity v to plug into equation? the velocity given for any of the two protons is what I stated above...but my concern is, should I assume a head on collision, in which case (by classical mechanics at least!) the velocity will be twice as large..to sum up what is the acceptable value for v and m to put into equation and also please advise on why this is the case and what is the standard way to interpret such problems.
Any feedback appreciated.