Question

The most energetic alpha particles available to Ernest Rutherford for his Rutherford scattering experiment were 7.7 MeV. For the scattering of 7.7 MeV alpha particles from ²³⁸U (initially at rest) at a scattering angle in the lab frame of 90 degrees, find the following: (All calculations are in the LAB system unless otherwise noted.)

a) The recoil scattering angle of 238U.

b) The scattering angles of the alpha particle and ²³⁸U in the CM system.

c) The kinetic energies of the scattered alpha particle and ²³⁸U.

d) The impact parameter b.

e) The distance of closest approach r_min.

f) The differential cross section at 90 degrees.

g) The ratio of the probabilities of scattering at 90 degrees to that of 5 degrees.

Answer 1