In a Rutherford scattering experiment when a projectile of charge Z 1 and mass M 1 approaches a target nucleus of charge Z 2 and mass M 2, the distance of closest approach is r 0. The energy of the projectile is :

Question

In a Rutherford scattering experiment when a projectile of charge Z 1 and mass M 1 approaches a target nucleus of charge Z 2 and mass M 2, the distance of closest approach is r 0. The energy of the projectile is : (A) Directly proportional to z1 z2 (B) Inversely proportional to z1 (C) Directly proportional to mass M1 (D) Directly proportional to M1 × M2

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

Energy of the projectile is the potential energy at closest approach, (1/4 π ε0) (z1 z2/r) Therefore energy propto z1 z2.

Q. In a Rutherford scattering experiment when a projectile of charge $Z_{1}$ and mass $M_{1}$ approaches a target nucleus of charge $Z_{2}$ and mass $M_{2}$ , the distance of closest approach is $r_{0}$ . The energy of the projectile is :

Directly proportional to $z_{1} z_{2}$

Inversely proportional to $z_{1}$

Directly proportional to mass $M_{1}$

Directly proportional to $M_{1} \times M_{2}$

Energy of the projectile is the potential energy
at closest approach, $\frac{1}{4 π ε _{0}} \frac{z _{1} z _{2}}{r}$
Therefore energy $\propto z_{1} z_{2}$ .

Q. In a Rutherford scattering experiment when a projectile of charge Z1​ and mass M1​ approaches a target nucleus of charge Z2​ and mass M2​, the distance of closest approach is r0​. The energy of the projectile is :

Directly proportional to z1​z2​

Inversely proportional to z1​

Directly proportional to mass M1​

Directly proportional to M1​×M2​