A stationary radium atom decays, emiting an alpha particle. Why is the recoil speed of the nucleus small compared to the alpha particle?
Initially the momentum is zero.
Due to conservation of momentum, the alpha particle and radium nucleus must gain equal but opposite momentum.
The mass of the radium nucleus is greater than the mass of the alpha particle.
Therefore, the alpha particle has a much greater speed after emission than the radium nucleus. (p = mv)
DD
Related Physics A Level answers
All answers ▸A cannon ball is fired at an angle 30 degrees from horizontal from a cannon with a speed 30km/h, a) calculate how high the cannonball flies, and the horizontal distance from the cannon the cannonball reaches
The Σ0 baryon, composed of the quark combination uds, is produced through the strong interaction between a π+ meson and a neutron. π+ + n →Σ0 + X What is the quark composition of X?
How can I measure the orbital period of a satellite around Earth?
An ultraviolet wave of continuous frequency reflects from a solid surface back in the direction of the transmitter. Assuming no amplitude is lost, describe and explain the behaviour of the particles in the medium between the transmitter and surface.