All Problems

Nuclear Reactions

Problem 6.269

An alpha particle with kinetic energy T=5.3MeVT=5.3 \mathrm{MeV} initiates a nuclear reaction Be9(α,n)C12\mathrm{Be}^{9}(\alpha, n) \mathrm{C}^{12} with energy yield Q=Q= =+5.7MeV=+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}