In: Physics
A proton is located at the origin, and a second proton is located on the x-axis at x1 = 5.36 fm (1 fm = 10−15 m).
(a) Calculate the electric potential energy associated with this
configuration. J
(b) An alpha particle (charge = 2e, mass = 6.64 ✕
10−27 kg) is now placed at (x2,
y2) = (2.68, 2.68) fm. Calculate the electric
potential energy associated with this
configuration. J
(c) Starting with the three particle system, find the change in
electric potential energy if the alpha particle is allowed to
escape to infinity while the two protons remain fixed in place.
(Throughout, neglect any radiation effects.) J
(d) Use conservation of energy to calculate the speed of the alpha
particle at infinity.
m/s
(e) If the two protons are released from rest and the alpha
particle remains fixed, calculate the speed of the protons at
infinity.
m/s