a proton collides head on with a helium atom at rest. their combined velocity after the collision is 8x10^5 m s^-1. calculate the initial velocity of the proton.

Question

anonymous · Answer

Please HELPPPP!!! :(

jamesj · Answer

You want to use conservation of momentum.

So first, what is the mass of the proton and what is the mass of the helium nucleus?

Then what is the momentum of the two of them together after the collision, call it p_final, the final momentum.

By the conservation of momentum, that must be equal to the initial momentum, p_initial.

Write out the equations (don't substitute numbers) and see how you will be able to solve for the initial velocity of the proton.