Consider a helium nucleus (mass 4 AMU) with some initial velocity incident on a

Question

Consider a helium nucleus (mass 4 AMU) with some initial velocity incident on a Gold atom (196 AMU) at rest for a 3 degree incident angle. An elastic collision occurs. After the collision, the helium nucleus is moving nearly opposite toe the initial direction, however with a -3 degree angle. Draw the before and after cases. What is the approximate final velocity of the helium nucleus and the gold atom? In most problems we examine the system right before and right after the collision. Explain why we do not look during the collision. In general, what are the conditions for a particle to "backscatter",i.e., for it to reverse direction after a collision?

Explanation / Answer

B.) Velocity of helium nucleus would be in opposite direction and of approximately same magnitude of initial velocity. Velocity of gold atom would be close to zero.

C.) During collision net force is not zero, so momentum can not be considered conserved during collision.

D.) The target needs to be very heavier when compared to projectile for backscatter.

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