Proton-Alpha Particle Closest Approach · CAP 2000 #23

Physics · electromagnetism

Problem

A proton is moving with a speed of uu directly towards an alpha-particle (Helium nucleus) which, when the two particles were very far apart from one another, was initially at rest. What is the separation of the particles at their point of closest approach? You may assume that mα=4mpm_\alpha = 4m_p. (a) r=e2/(πεompu2)r = e^2/(\pi \varepsilon_o m_p u^2) (b) r=e2/(4πεompu2)r = e^2/(4\pi \varepsilon_o m_p u^2) (c) r=5e2/(4πεompu2)r = 5e^2/(4\pi \varepsilon_o m_p u^2) (d) r=5e2/(8πεompu2)r = 5e^2/(8\pi \varepsilon_o m_p u^2)

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