A proton from an accelerator strikes an atom. An electron is observed flying forward in the same direction the proton was moving and at a speed much greater than the speed of the proton. What conclusion can you draw about the relative mass of a proton and an electron?
The conclusion about the relative mass of a proton and an electron.
Answer to Problem 53A
The electron has veryless mass than that of the proton.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
The momentum of an object is the multiplication of mass and its velocity.
During the collision of the proton into an atom, it causes an electron to be ejected at a speed that is greater than that of the proton and moved in the same direction as that of the proton. According to the law of conservation of momentum, one can conclude that a proton has a lot more mass than an electron. This is so because the momentum of the proton is completely transferred to the electron and it moves faster than the proton. The fast-moving electron have the same momentum as the proton only if the electron would be to have a much smaller mass than the proton.
Conclusion:
Thus, the electron contains less mass than that of the proton.
Chapter 8 Solutions
Conceptual Physics: The High School Physics Program
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Life in the Universe (4th Edition)
Sears And Zemansky's University Physics With Modern Physics
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, Vol. 1 (Chs 1-21) (4th Edition)
University Physics Volume 2
Tutorials in Introductory Physics
Physics: Principles with Applications
- College PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics (14th Edition)PhysicsISBN:9780133969290Author:Hugh D. Young, Roger A. FreedmanPublisher:PEARSONIntroduction To Quantum MechanicsPhysicsISBN:9781107189638Author:Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Physics for Scientists and EngineersPhysicsISBN:9781337553278Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningLecture- Tutorials for Introductory AstronomyPhysicsISBN:9780321820464Author:Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina BrissendenPublisher:Addison-WesleyCollege Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio...PhysicsISBN:9780134609034Author:Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart FieldPublisher:PEARSON