Question

A neutron with a velocity collides inelastically with another particle of mass 8amu. If the neutron has a mass of 1amu, what will be the final velocity of the system after the collision? Assume that there is no external force acting on the system during the collision.

Answer 1

The final velocity of an inelastic collision between a neutron and another particle can be determined using the conservation of momentum. The final velocity is 1/9 of the neutron's initial velocity, assuming the other particle was initially at rest.

Step-by-step explanation:

Conservation of Momentum in Inelastic Collisions

The question involves the concept of inelastic collisions where two objects collide and move together as one mass. In inelastic collisions, momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not necessarily conserved. The scenario presented describes a neutron (1 amu) colliding inelastically with another particle (8 amu). To find the final velocity of the system, we use the conservation of momentum, which is given by the formula:

m1 * v1 + m2 * v2 = (m1 + m2) * vf

Assuming the other particle is initially at rest, the final velocity vf is calculated as follows:

v1 * (1 amu) = (1 amu + 8 amu) * vf

Solving for vf, we get:

vf = v1 / (1 + 8)