Questions in Physics: Kinetic Energy & Penetrance of Materials

[scottbekerham]

I have no idea about physics and i do not even remember anything about high school physics . I'm a medical student but i have a question in physics . this question may sound strange or stupid but if anyone can answer me , it wold be appreciated .
if a particle moves at a specified velocity as a part of radiation . can this particle lose kinetic energy gradually so as to reach a much lower velocity at a specified calculated point ?
is there a relationship between the velocity or energy of that particle and penetrance of materials?
can we make a molecule (any molecule ) to move at a specified velocity and then gradually lose energy?
i want the answer to these question as I'm doing a research for the college

 

[mgb_phys]

if a particle moves at a specified velocity as a part of radiation . can this particle lose kinetic energy gradually so as to reach a much lower velocity at a specified calculated point ?

If it is a particle with mass, such as an electron or proton then yes.
It needs some external force to slow it down, such as a magnetic field. Electrons losing energy in a magnetic field are used to generate X-rays for example.
A masslass particle such as light can't have any speed other than 'c' (in vacuum)

is there a relationship between the velocity or energy of that particle and penetrance of materials?

Partly, it also depends on the method of absorbtion.
Light is absorbed by bonds in the material which have the correct energy to match that of the photon, so particlular wavelengths can be effectively blocked while others pass through.
Different mechanisms apply to just bulk absorbtion of things like xrays.

can we make a molecule (any molecule ) to move at a specified velocity and then gradually lose energy?

If you apply a force, yes. So if the moelcule is charged you can slow it down with an electric field. A mass spectrometer puts the same charge on molecules of different mass, an electric field then slows them with the same force - since heavier molecules will slow less (imagine putting the same braking force on a car and truck) you can measure the masses of the molecules and identify them.

 

[Rajini]

Hi mgbphys,
i think he need some information on attenuation of x-rays [medical physics]..if this is what you need please reply..i can give you some relevant information.

 

[Dale]

if a particle moves at a specified velocity as a part of radiation . can this particle lose kinetic energy gradually so as to reach a much lower velocity at a specified calculated point ?

Essentially,yes. That is the basis of proton beam therapy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_therapy

 

[pmacias]

I would first like to commend you for your curiosity and interest in exploring different scientific topics, even outside of your field of study. It is always important to have a well-rounded understanding of various scientific concepts.

To answer your first question, yes, a particle can lose kinetic energy gradually as it travels as part of radiation. This is known as energy loss or energy attenuation, and it occurs due to interactions between the particle and the materials it passes through. These interactions can cause the particle to lose energy and slow down, eventually reaching a lower velocity.

As for the relationship between the velocity or energy of a particle and the penetrance of materials, there is indeed a connection. The higher the energy of the particle, the more penetrating it will be. This is because higher energy particles have more momentum and can pass through materials with greater ease. This is why high-energy radiation, like gamma rays, can penetrate deeper into materials compared to low-energy radiation, like alpha particles.

In terms of making a molecule move at a specified velocity and then gradually losing energy, this is possible through various methods such as controlling the temperature or applying external forces. However, it is important to note that molecules do not typically have a constant velocity, as they are constantly moving and colliding with other molecules.

I hope this helps answer your questions and provides some insight into the relationship between kinetic energy and penetrance of materials. As always, it is important to continue researching and learning about different scientific topics to expand your knowledge and understanding. Good luck with your research!