Question

he nucleus of 8Be, which consists of 4 protons and 4 neutrons, is very unstable and spontaneously breaks into two alpha particles (helium nuclei, each consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons). (a) What is the force between the two alpha particles when they are 6.60 ✕ 10−15 m apart? N (b) What is the initial magnitude of the acceleration of the alpha particles due to this force? Note that the mass of an alpha particle is 4.0026 u. m/s2

Answer 1

A) F = 21.134 N

B) a = 3180.76 × 10^(24) m/s²

Step-by-step explanation:

A) We are given;

Mass of alpha particle; m = 4.0026 u

Now, 1u = 1.66 × 10^(-27) kg

Thus; m = 4.0026 × 1.66 × 10^(-27)

Distance apart; r = 6.60 × 10^(−15) m

Charge on the alpha particle is;

q = 2e = 2 × 1.6 × 10^(-19) C

Formula for the force between the two alpha particles is;

F = kq1.q2/r²

k = 8.99 × 10^(9) N.m²/C²

q1 = q2 = 2 × 1.6 × 10^(-19) C

F = 8.99 × 10^(9) × (2 × 1.6 × 10^(-19))²/(6.60 × 10^(−15))²

F = 21.134 N

B) acceleration is given by;

a = F/m

Thus; a = 21.134/(4.0026 × 1.66 × 10^(-27))

a = 3180.76 × 10^(24) m/s²