Question

Through what angle will a 5-MeV alpha particle be scattered as it approaches a gold nucleus with an impact parameter of 2.6x10-13m?(Given that Z for Gold=79)

Determine the impact parameter of a 8-MeV alpha particle scattered by 12.5o if it approaches a gold nucleus.

Answer 1

1)

$$b=\frac{kZe^2\cot{0.5\theta}}{K}$$

$$2.6\cdot 10^{-13}=\frac{(9 \cdot 10^{9})(79)(1.6\cdot 10^{-19})^2\cot{0.5\theta}}{5\cdot 1.6\cdot 10^{-13}}$$

$$\theta=10\degree$$

2)

$$b=\frac{(9 \cdot 10^{9})(79)(1.6\cdot 10^{-19})^2\cot{25}}{8\cdot 1.6\cdot 10^{-13}}$$

$$b=3.05\cdot 10^{-14}m$$