Chapter 6, Problem 6.72P

CALC Proton Bombardment. A proton with mass 1.67 × 10⁻²⁷ kg is propelled at an initial speed of 3.00 × 10⁵ m/s directly toward a uranium nucleus 5.00 m away. The proton is repelled by the uranium nucleus with a force of magnitude F = α/x², where x is the separation between the two objects and a −2.12 × 10⁻²⁶ N·m². Assume that the uranium nucleus remains at rest, (a) What is the speed of the proton when it is 8.00 × 10⁻¹⁰ m from the uranium nucleus? (b) As the proton approaches the uranium nucleus, the repulsive force shows down the proton until it comes momentarily to rest, after which the proton moves away from the uranium nucleus. How close to the uranium nucleus does the proton get? (c) What is the speed of the proton when it is again 5.00 m away from the uranium nucleus?