Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QPages 384-386: Q33: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Bohr's Model and Physics of the Atom Pages 384-386: Q33 Solution: A neutron having kinetic energy 12.5 eV collides with a…

A neutron having kinetic energy 12.5 eV collides with a hydrogen atom at rest. Neglect the difference in mass between the neutron and the hydrogen atom and assume that the neutron does not leave its line of motion. Find the possible kinetic energies of the neutron after the event.

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** Possible neutron energies: 12.5 eV, 2.3 eV, 0.4 eV. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** Neutron energy 12.5 eV collides with hydrogen atom. The atom can be excited to n=2 (10.2 eV), n=3 (12.09 eV), etc. The neutron loses this energy. Possible final neutron energies: 12.5 _ 10.2 = 2.3 eV, or 12.5 _ 12.09 = 0.41 eV, or 12.5 eV (elastic collision) [citation:3].

All Questions in this Chapter

Related Learning Resources & Exam Preparation