In experiments in which atomic nuclei collide, headon collisions like that described in 23.74 do happen, but near misses are more common. Suppose the alpha particle in that problem is not aimed at the center of the lead nucleus but has an initial nonzero angular momentum (with respect to the stationary lead nucleus) of magnitude L = p0b, where p0 is the magnitude of the particles initial momentum and b = 1.00 * 10-12 m. What is the distance of closest approach? Repeat for b = 1.00 * 10-13 m and b = 1.00 * 10-14 m.
Physics 60 9/28/2015 Week 1 Ch. 1.3 Equipartition of Energy o Equipartition theorem: At temperature T, the average energy of any quadratic degree of freedom is (1/2)kT - The equipartition theorem concerns all forms of energy that has formula as a quadratic function of a coordinate or velocity - Degrees of freedom f refer to the forms of energy that constrain how energy moves (such as translational motion, rotational motion, vibrational motion, and elastic potential energy) - Total thermal energy: U thermalN*f*(1/2)kT - Safest to apply equipartition theorem to changes in energy due to changes in temperature that do not break bonds between parti
