Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Energy and momentum of a photon

Energy and momentum of a photon — practice question

(a)[2]

State what a photon is.

(b)

A stationary cobalt-60 ($^{60}_{27}\text{Co}$) nucleus emits a $\gamma$-ray photon with an energy of $1.18\,\text{MeV}$.

(b(i))[2]

Calculate the wavelength of this photon.

(b(ii))[2]

Show that the photon momentum is $6.3 \times 10^{-22}\,\text{N s}$.

(c)[2]

Use information in (b)(ii) to find the recoil speed of the cobalt-60 nucleus when the $\gamma$-ray photon is emitted.

Worked solution & mark scheme

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