In a nuclear reactor, neutrons released bynuclear fission must be slowed down before they can trigger additional reactions in other nuclei. To see what sort of material is mosteffective in slowing (or moderating) a neutron, calculate the ratio ofa neutron’s final kinetic energy to its initial kinetic energy, Kf>Ki, fora head-on elastic collision with each of the following stationary target particles. (Note: The mass of a neutron is m = 1.009 u, where theatomic mass unit, u, is defined as follows: 1 u = 1.66 * 10-27 kg.2(a) An electron 1M = 5.49 * 10-4u2. (b) A proton 1M = 1.007 u2.(c) The nucleus of a lead atom 1M = 207.2 u2.

Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
5th Edition
ISBN:9780534408961
Author:Stephen T. Thornton, Jerry B. Marion
Publisher:Stephen T. Thornton, Jerry B. Marion
Chapter9: Dynamics Of A System Of Particles
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 9.36P: In an elastic collision of two particles with masses m1 and m2, the initial velocities are u1 and u2...
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In a nuclear reactor, neutrons released by
nuclear fission must be slowed down before they can trigger additional reactions in other nuclei. To see what sort of material is most
effective in slowing (or moderating) a neutron, calculate the ratio of
a neutron’s final kinetic energy to its initial kinetic energy, Kf
>Ki
, for
a head-on elastic collision with each of the following stationary target particles. (Note: The mass of a neutron is m = 1.009 u, where the
atomic mass unit, u, is defined as follows: 1 u = 1.66 * 10-27 kg.2
(a) An electron 1M = 5.49 * 10-4u2. (b) A proton 1M = 1.007 u2.
(c) The nucleus of a lead atom 1M = 207.2 u2.

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