A U-238 Nucleus (Mass = 238 Units) Decays, Transforming into an Alpha

question 49

Short Answer

A U-238 nucleus (mass = 238 units) decays, transforming into an alpha particle (mass = 4.00 units) and a residual thorium nucleus (mass = 234 units). If the uranium nucleus was at rest, and the alpha particle has a speed of 1.50 × 10⁷ m/s, determine the recoil speed of the thorium nucleus.

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Definitions:

Negative Feelings

Unpleasant emotions such as sadness, anger, or fear, that can affect one's mental well-being.

Cognitive Restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is a psychological technique that aims to help people identify, challenge, and change irrational or maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.

Thinking Process

The cognitive activities involved in processing information, solving problems, and making decisions.

Beck

Aaron T. Beck, an American psychiatrist known for developing cognitive therapy (later known as cognitive-behavioral therapy) and his work on cognitive theories of depression.