Moderating a Neutron In a nuclear reactor, neutrons | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Physics with MasteringPhysics

Chapter 9 Problem 40P

Question

Problem 40P

Moderating a Neutron In a nuclear reactor, neutrons released by nuclear fission must be slowed down before they can trigger additional reactions in other nuclei. To see what sort of material is most effective in slowing (or moderating) a neutron, calculate the ratio of a neutron's final kinetic energy to its initial kinetic energy, Kf/Ki, for a head-on elastic collision with each of the following stationary target particles. (Note: The mass of a neutron is m = 1.009 u, where the atomic mass unit, u, is defined as follows: 1 u = 1.66 × 10−27 kg.) (a) An electron (M = 5.49 × 10−4 u). (b) A proton (M = 1.007 u). (c) The nucleus of a lead atom (M = 207.2 u).

Solution

a.)

Step 1 of 3

We have to calculate the ratio of neutron's final kinetic energy to its initial kinetic energy,

for a head-on elastic collision with an electron.

The ratio of neutron's final kinetic energy to its initial kinetic energy is

Where,

 and  are the initial and final speed of the neutron

after a head on collision with an electron

 mass of the neutron

Now, since the electron is at rest, the final speed of the neutron after colliding with it can be found using the equation

where,

mass of a neutron = 1.009 u

mass of an electron =u

Hence, the ratio of  is

.

       

       =

       = 0.9978

Therefore, the ratio of  neutron's final kinetic energy to its initial kinetic energy,
for a head-on elastic collision with an electron is
0.9978 .

b.)

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Title Physics with MasteringPhysics 4 
Author James S. Walker
ISBN 9780321541635

Moderating a Neutron In a nuclear reactor, neutrons

Chapter 9 textbook questions

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