Questions from Modern Physics


Q: Compared to α particles with the same energy, β particles can

Compared to α particles with the same energy, β particles can much more easily penetrate through matter. Why is this?

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Q: For a particle in a box, what would the probability distribution

For a particle in a box, what would the probability distribution function Ψ 2 look like if the particle behaved like a classical (Newtonian) particle? Do the actual probability distributions approach...

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Q: If (_Z^A)Eli represents the initial nuclide, what is the decay

 If (_Z^A)Eli represents the initial nuclide, what is the decay process or processes if the final nuclide is

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Q: In a nuclear decay equation, why can we represent an electron

In a nuclear decay equation, why can we represent an electron as 1 0

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Q: Why is the alpha, beta, or gamma decay of an

Why is the alpha, beta, or gamma decay of an unstable nucleus unaffected by the chemical situation of the atom, such as the nature of the molecule or solid in which it is bound? The chemical situation...

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Q: In the process of internal conversion, a nucleus decays from an

In the process of internal conversion, a nucleus decays from an excited state to a ground state by giving the excitation energy directly to an atomic electron rather than emitting a gamma-ray photon....

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Q: In Example 43.9 (Section 43.4), the

In Example 43.9 (Section 43.4), the activity of atmospheric carbon before 1900 was given. Discuss why this activity may have changed since 1900. From Example 43.9

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Q: One problem in radiocarbon dating of biological samples, especially very old

One problem in radiocarbon dating of biological samples, especially very old ones, is that they can easily be contaminated with modern biological material during the measurement process. What effect w...

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Q: The most common radium isotope found on earth, 226Ra, has

The most common radium isotope found on earth, 226Ra, has a half-life of about 1600 years. If the earth was formed well over 109 years ago, why is there any radium left now?

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Q: Fission reactions occur only for nuclei with large nucleon numbers, while

Fission reactions occur only for nuclei with large nucleon numbers, while exoergic fusion reactions occur only for nuclei with small nucleon numbers. Why is this?

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