Physics

Physics

Problem

If an alpha particle were to get closer than 8 fm (8.0×10−158.0 \times 10^{-15} m) to the gold nucleus, the strong nuclear force would dominate the electrostatic repulsion of the Coulomb force. The alpha particle would be absorbed by the nucleus. Show that the initial kinetic energy an alpha particle would need for it to be absorbed by the gold nucleus is about 28 MeV.

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