All Problems

Nuclear Reactions

Problem 6.269

An alpha particle with kinetic energy \(T=5.3 \mathrm{MeV}\) initiates a nuclear reaction \(\mathrm{Be}^{9}(\alpha, n) \mathrm{C}^{12}\) with energy yield \(Q=\) \(=+5.7 \mathrm{MeV}\). Find the kinetic energy of the neutron outgoing at right angles to the motion direction of the alpha-particle.

Reveal Answer
Tn=Q+(1mα/mC)T1+mn/mC=8.5MeVT_{n}=\frac{Q+\left(1-m_{\alpha} / m_{\mathrm{C}}\right) T}{1+m_{n} / m_{\mathrm{C}}}=8.5 \mathrm{MeV}