Nuclear Physics help please (alpha decay of a Po-216 atom)

  • #1
Elon Musk
1
0
Homework Statement
Can someone help me with the questions with modern physics (nuclear physics). I am studying modern physics right now, and I need help with this homework question.
Here is a link to the question:

[Link to external question/answer website deleted by the Mentors]
Relevant Equations
E = hf
K hf max = - f
h
p
l =
2 E = m
1619830011259.png

1619830062031.png

1619830107151.png
I think that when an atom of polonium (Po-216) is moving slowly enough that it can be considered to be at rest. The Po-216 undergoes alpha decay and becomes lead ( Ph-212 ), via the reaction 깝 Po → Pb + ta. After the decay. the lead atom is moving to the left with speed v. and the alpha particle is moving to the right with speed . The masses of the three isotopes involved in the decay are given below. Mm216 = 216.001915 u Ma 4.002603 Mpm 212 211991898 u ex 17. How do the momentum and kinetic energy of the polonium atom compare with the total momentum and kinetic energy of the decay products?

I think I should use E-mc^2 to use this problem, but I don't know what to use for mass. Is it the change I am mass?
 
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  • #2
Elon Musk said:
I don't know what to use for mass. Is it the change I am mass?
Find the total energy before and after, the total being (sum of KEs) + (sum of rest masses)##\times mc^2##.
 

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