Moderating a Neutron In a nuclear reactor, neutrons released by nuclear fission must be slowed down...

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Physics

Moderating a Neutron In a nuclear reactor, neutrons released bynuclear fission must be slowed down before they can triggeradditional reactions in other nuclei. To see what sort of materialis most effective in slowing (or moderating) a neutron, calculatethe ratio of a neutron's final kinetic energy to its initialkinetic energy, Kf/Ki, for a head-on elastic collision with each ofthe following stationary target particles. (Note: The mass of aneutron is m=1.009u, where the atomic mass unit, u, is defined asfollows: 1u=1.66Ã—10âˆ’27kg.) 1. An electron (M=5.49Ã—10âˆ’4u). Expressyour answer using four significant figures. 2. A proton (M=1.007u).Express your answer using one significant figure. 3. The nucleus ofa lead atom (M=207.2u). Express your answer using four significantfigures.

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Let us consider that the vi and vf are theinitial and final velocities of the neutron whose mass is mbefore and after the collisionInitial velocity for the target particle whose mass is M iszero as it is statinoary before the collisonLet us consider that the final velocity of the target particleis VSo from the momentum conservation principleNote It is assumed that the neutron is continue to move in thesame direction true for small mass target particle that are See Answer

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