A radioactive nucleus at rest decays into a second nucleus, an electron, and a n

Question

A radioactive nucleus at rest decays into a second nucleus, an electron, and a neutrino. The electron and neutrino are emitted at right angles and have momenta of 9.50 10-23 kg·m/s, and 5.90 10-23 kg·m/s, respectively. What is the magnitude and direction of the momentum of the second (recoiling) nucleus?(Hint: Since momentum is a vector, use conservation of momentum in the two directions, independently.)

_______ Magnitude kg·m/s

_______ ° Direction (measured from the direction opposite to the electron's momentum)

Explanation / Answer

Here ,

let the direction of electron velocity is x -axis

the direction of neutrino velocity is y axis

momentum of electron , pe = 9.5 *10^-23 i Kg.m/s

momentum of neutrino , pn = 5.9*10^-23 j Kg.m/s

Using conservation of momentum

pe + pn + momentum of nucleus = 0

9.5 *10^-23 i + 5.9*10^-23 j + momentum of nucleus = 0

momentum of nucleus = - 9.5 *10^-23 i - 5.9*10^-23 j

momentum of nucleus = sqrt(9.5^2 + 5.9^2) *10^-23 at arctan(5.9/9.5) degeree

momentum of nucleus = 1.118 *10^-22 Kg.m/s at 31.8 degree

the magnitude of momentum is 1.118 *10^-22 Kg.m/s

the angle of direction is 31.8 degree

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects