Question

A helium nucleus (4

2He) is travelling at a speed of 7 x 106 ms-1

towards a gold nucleus

(197

79 AU). By considering only electrostatic forces, calculate the closest possible distance of

approach between the two particles.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Alpha particle scattering animation

6x10-19)]/5.5x10-13 = 6.6x10-14 m. This is well inside the atom but some eight nuclear diameters from the centre of the gold nucleus.