- #1
xoxomae
- 23
- 1
Homework Statement
When an alpha particle collides elastically with a nucleus, the nucleus recoils. Suppose a 3.94 MeV alpha particle has a head-on elastic collision with a gold nucleus that is initially at rest. What is the kinetic energy of (a) the recoiling nucleus and (b) the rebounding alpha particle? The gold nucleus has a mass of 197 u and the alpha has a mass of 4.0 u.
Homework Equations
K1+K2=3.94MeV
The Attempt at a Solution
Since the alpha particle will momentarily stop when the repulsion between the two particles is enough to stop it, the kinetic energy from the particle will all be converted into potential energy so K1f+K2f=3.94Mev. But I'm not sure where to go from here? I feel like I'm missing something simple