The first nuclear reaction ever observed (in 1919 by Ernest Rutherford) was

(a) Identify the reaction product “(?).” 

(b) For this reaction to take place, the alpha particle must come in contact with the nitrogen nucleus. Calculate the distance d between their centers when they just make contact. 

(c) If the alpha particle and the nitrogen nucleus are initially far apart, what is the minimum value of their kinetic energy necessary to bring the two into contact? 

(d) Is the total kinetic energy of the reaction products more or less than the initial kinetic energy in part 

(c)? Why? Calculate this kinetic energy difference.

Transcribed Image Text:

x + ¹4N → p + (?).