1199

Physics Force & Laws Of Motion Level: High School

Conservation of momentum

A u-238 nucleus (mass = 238 units) decays , transforming into an alpha particle (mass = 4 units) and a residual thorium nucleus (mass = 234 units) if the uranium nucleus was at rest , and the alpha particle has a speed of 1.5 x 10^7 m/sec , determine the recoil speed of the thorium nucleus . Include a sketch in your solution .