Modern Physics for Engineers

Problem Set 2

Problem Set 2 - Due in class, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1999.

Problems:

  1. SM&M 1-34.
  2. SM&M 1-39. Before answering part (b), calculate the amount of energy release in the reaction:
    3. 4 H --- He + 2 Nu_e

    where H and He are hydrogen and helium atoms respectively and Nu_e is a massless particle. This is the primary energy producing reaction in the sun. Note: the masses given in the back of the book are the masses for the atoms. Thus the mass for H is the mass of a hydrogen atom and not just a proton.

  3. SM&M 1-42. Also calculate how much kinetic energy each particle receives.
  4. SM&M 1-46.
  5. SM&M 1-47.