Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Momentum and Newton's laws of motion

Momentum and Newton's laws of motion — practice question

A stream of $\\alpha$-particles hits a lead sheet. The mass of each $\\alpha$-particle in the beam is $6.6 \\times 10^{-27}\,\\text{kg}$, and its speed is $1.5 \\times 10^{7}\,\\text{m s}^{-1}$. Every second, $5.0 \\times 10^{4}$ $\\alpha$-particles strike an area of $1.0\,\\text{cm}^2$ of lead. Nearly all of the $\\alpha$-particles are absorbed by the lead, so their speed after the collision is zero. What estimate can be made of the average pressure exerted on the lead by the $\\alpha$-particles?

  • A$5.0 \\times 10^{-15}\,\\text{Pa}$
  • B$5.0 \\times 10^{-13}\,\\text{Pa}$
  • C$5.0 \\times 10^{-11}\,\\text{Pa}$
  • D$5.0 \\times 10^{-9}\,\\text{Pa}$

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