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BubbaJonze
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Homework Statement
An Alpha particle of a Rutherford-type scattering experiment is shot directly toward a platinum nucleus. One of the particles was apparently aimed directly at the centre of the nucleus cause it shot 180 degrees back along the same path. How close does it come to the platinum nucleus?
Homework Equations
Kinetic energy of Alpha particle: 4.0 MeV
The Attempt at a Solution
Doubt this is right, but I figured energy conservation had something to do with it.
[tex]\sum[/tex]E[tex]_{}initial[/tex]=[tex]\sum[/tex]E[tex]_{}final[/tex]
After some re-arranging, this is what I came up with:
[tex]\frac{Kq_{1}q_{2}}{r}[/tex]=E
So I figured I was solving for r, in which case i got this formula [tex]\frac{Kq_{1}q_{2}}{E}[/tex]
K= Planck's constant
q= elementary charge
E= 4.0MeV (?)
Can someone tell me if I'm anywhere near the right track? We didn't really learn about it, but my instructor stated it was a "challenger" question.