Question

In a Rutherford scattering experiment when a projectile of charge $Z _{1}$ and mass $M _{1}$ approaches a target nucleus of charge $Z _{2}$ and mass $M _{2}$, the distance of closest approach is $r _{0}$. The energy of the projectile is :

• A. Directly proportional to $z_1 z_2$
• B. Inversely proportional to $z_1$
• C. Directly proportional to mass $M_1$
• D. Directly proportional to $M_1 \times M_2$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Directly proportional to $z_1 z_2$

Answer 2

Energy of the projectile is the potential energy at closest approach, $=\frac{1}{4 \pi \in_{0}} \frac{ Z _{1} Z _{2}}{ r _{0}}$ Therefore energy $z_1 z_2.$