Chapter 8, Problem 53A

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?

To determine

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.