In: Physics
An unstable particle with a mass equal to 3.34x10^-27 kg is initially at rest. The particle decays into two fragments that fly off with velocities of 0.981c and -0.863c, respectively. Find the masses of the fragments. (Hint: Conserve both mass-energy and momentum.)
m = 0.981c = _______kg
m = -0.863c = ______kg
According to the law of conservation of linear momentum wehave
totalinitial momentum before decay = total final momentum afterdecay
Given that total intitial momentum of the system iszero.
Then 0 = m1v1 +m2v2
(m1)(0.987c) + (m2)(-0.868c) = 0
0.987m1 = 0.868m2
m1 = (0.868 / 0.987)m2
= 0.879m2 ....................(1)
Since we have m1 + m2 = 3.34 x10-27 kg
0.879m2 + m2 = 3.34 x 10-27 kg
m2 ( 1 + 0.879) = 3.34 x 10-27 kg
From this we calculate the value of m2.
After getting the value of m2 substitute this valuein the eq(1) we get the value of m1.