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Radioactivity (A-level only)

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Question 62

In a nuclear physics research laboratory, a beam of carbon-12 nuclei (Z=6Z = 6Z=6) is accelerated towards a thin gold foil target containing stationary gold nuclei (Z=79Z = 79Z=79). Each carbon nucleus in the beam has a kinetic energy of 24.0 MeV24.0\text{ MeV}24.0 MeV when it is a large distance from the gold target.

Determine the closest possible distance of approach for a head-on collision between a carbon nucleus and a gold nucleus.

Take:

  • Elementary charge: e=1.60×10−19 Ce = 1.60 \times 10^{-19}\text{ C}e=1.60×10−19 C
  • Coulomb constant: 14πε0=8.99×109 N m2 C−2\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} = 8.99 \times 10^9\text{ N m}^2\text{ C}^{-2}4πε0​1​=8.99×109 N m2 C−2
  • 1 eV=1.60×10−19 J1\text{ eV} = 1.60 \times 10^{-19}\text{ J}1 eV=1.60×10−19 J
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Markscheme

Radioactivity (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radioactivity (A-level only)

128 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Radioactivity (A-level only), covering Rutherford scattering (A-level only), $\alpha$ , $\beta$ and $\gamma$ radiation (A-level only), Radioactive decay (A-level only), Nuclear instability (A-level only), Nuclear radius (A-level only), Mass and energy (A-level only), Induced fission (A-level only), and Safety aspects (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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