In a
simplified model, a uranium nucleus is a sphere of radius 8.0 × 10−15 m.
The nucleus contains 92 protons (and rather more neutrons). The charge on a
proton is 1.6 × 10−19 C. It can be assumed that the charge of these protons acts as if it were all concentrated at the centre of the nucleus.
The nucleus releases an α particle containing two protons (and two neutrons) at
the surface of the nucleus. Calculate
a) the
electric field strength at the surface of the nucleus before emission of the
α-particle,
b) the
electric force on the α-particle at the surface of the nucleus,
c) the
electric potential at the surface of the nucleus before emission of the
α-particle,
d) the
electric potential energy of the α-particle when it is at the surface of the
nucleus.
Solution:
