Potential Energy of Point-Charges: an Alpha Particle Is a Nucleus

question 54

Multiple Choice

Potential energy of point-charges: An alpha particle is a nucleus of helium. It has twice the charge and four times the mass of the proton. When they were very far away from each other, but headed toward directly each other, a proton and an alpha particle each had an initial speed of 0.0030c, where c is the speed of light. What is their distance of closest approach?

Hint: There are two conserved quantities. Make use of both of them. (c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s, k = 1/4πε0 = 8.99 × 10⁹ N ∙ m²/C², e = 1.60 × 10^-19 C, mproton = 1.67 × 10^-27 kg)

• A) 2.1 × 10^-13 m
• B) 3.3 × 10^-13 m
• C) 2.6 × 10^-13 m
• D) 2.9 × 10^-13 m

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