Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Linear momentum and its conservation

Linear momentum and its conservation — practice question

(a)[2]

State which quantities are conserved in a nuclear reaction apart from momentum.

(b(i))[1]

A uranium-238 nucleus initially at rest decays into a thorium-234 nucleus by emitting an $\alpha$-particle. The kinetic energy of the $\alpha$-particle is $6.69\times10^{-13}\,\text{J}$. Show that the kinetic energy $E_k$ of a mass $m$ is related to its momentum $p$ by the equation $$E_k = \frac{p^2}{2m}.$$

(b(ii))[3]

Use conservation of momentum to find the kinetic energy, in keV, of the thorium nucleus.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 6-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Any two from: mass-energy, proton number/charge, nucleon number

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