Here we will look at an example of subatomic elastic collisions. High-speed neutrons are produced in a nuclear reactor during nuclear fission processes. Before a neutron can trigger additional fissions, it has to be slowed down by collisions with nuclei of a material called the moderator. In some reactors the moderator consists of carbon in the form of graphite. The masses of nuclei and subatomic particles are measured in units called atomic mass units, abbreviated uu, where 1u=1.66×10−27kg1u=1.66×10−27kg. Suppose a neutron (mass 1.0 u) traveling at 2.6×107m/s2.6×107m/s makes an elastic head-on collision with a carbon nucleus (mass 12 u) that is initially at rest. What are the velocities after the collision? a)If the neutron's kinetic energy is reduced to 64/81 of its initial value in a single collision, what is the mass of the moderator nucleus?
Here we will look at an example of subatomic elastic collisions. High-speed neutrons are produced in a nuclear reactor during nuclear fission processes. Before a neutron can trigger additional fissions, it has to be slowed down by collisions with nuclei of a material called the moderator. In some reactors the moderator consists of carbon in the form of graphite. The masses of nuclei and subatomic particles are measured in units called atomic mass units, abbreviated uu, where 1u=1.66×10−27kg1u=1.66×10−27kg. Suppose a neutron (mass 1.0 u) traveling at 2.6×107m/s2.6×107m/s makes an elastic head-on collision with a carbon nucleus (mass 12 u) that is initially at rest. What are the velocities after the collision?
a)If the neutron's kinetic energy is reduced to 64/81 of its initial value in a single collision, what is the mass of the moderator nucleus?
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