How Is the Mass of the Target Nucleus Calculated in an Elastic Collision?

In summary, a proton with a mass of 1 atomic mass unit (u) was shot at a target nucleus at a speed of 2.40×10^6 m/s. The proton rebounded with a 25% decrease in speed, while the target nucleus obtained a speed of 3.50×10^5 m/s. To find the mass of the target nucleus, the equation Mp*Vip+Mn*Vin=Mp*Vfp+Mn*Vfn was used, resulting in a mass of 1.71 u. However, it should be noted that the final proton velocity has a minus sign, leading to a different answer.
  • #1
Emendez3
5
0
A proton (mass 1 u) is shot toward an unknown target nucleus at a speed of 2.40×10^6 m/s. The proton rebounds with its speed reduced by 25% while the target nucleus acquires a speed of 3.50×10^5 m/s.

What is the mass, in atomic mass units, of the target nucleus?




I tried:
Mp*Vip+Mn*Vin=Mp*Vfp+Mn*Vfn

where Mp= Mass proton=1
Vip= intial proton velocity=2.4E6
Mn= Mass nucleus=unknown
Vin=Initial Velocity of nucleus=0
Vfp= Final velocity proton=.75(2.4E6)
Vfn=final velocity nucleus= 3.5E5


i get 1.71u but its wrong
 
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  • #2
The final proton velocity has a minus sign
 
  • #3
borgwal said:
The final proton velocity has a minus sign

Thank you very much got the answer
 

Related to How Is the Mass of the Target Nucleus Calculated in an Elastic Collision?

1. What is an elastic collision?

An elastic collision is a collision between two objects where both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. This means that after the collision, the total kinetic energy and momentum of the system remains the same.

2. How is momentum conserved in an elastic collision?

Momentum is conserved in an elastic collision because there is no external force acting on the system. This means that the total momentum before the collision must be equal to the total momentum after the collision.

3. What is the formula for calculating momentum?

The formula for calculating momentum is p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity. Momentum is typically measured in kilograms-meters per second (kg*m/s).

4. How is an elastic collision different from an inelastic collision?

An elastic collision is different from an inelastic collision because in an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved. This means that some of the kinetic energy is converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or sound, during the collision.

5. Can an elastic collision occur between objects of different masses?

Yes, an elastic collision can occur between objects of different masses. In an elastic collision, the masses of the objects do not affect the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy. However, the velocities of the objects before and after the collision may be different due to the difference in mass.

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