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Subatomic Physics
Web site:
physics.usask.ca/~pywell/p452
Subatomic Physics
This course is an introduction to Nuclear Physics and
Particle Physics
Subatomic physics is really about getting to the heart
of what we know about the Universe.
i.e. We are trying to answer the fundamental
questions
What is the Universe made of?
the particles
Rutherford Scattering
The experiment carried out by Geiger and
Marsden.
First established that the atom is composed of
a small nucleus surrounded by electrons.
The experiment made use of -particles.
Radioactivity
If we put some radioactive material in front of a
magnet we see 3 types of radiation.
radioactive material
e.g. Uranium
-rays
magnetic field
-rays
-rays
- particles
charge +2e
mass ~ 7000me
= nucleus of helium atoms
- particles
charge 1e
mass = me
= electrons
- rays
no charge
no mass
= photons (high energy X-rays)
gold foil
scintillating screen
microscope
Rutherfords Explanation
Atom is mostly empty.
Atom has a small positively charged nucleus
containing most of the mass of the atom.
It was postulated that the electrons were in
orbit about the nucleus.
Number of electrons = Z = Atomic Number
determines atoms position in the periodic table
(chemical properties)
Rutherfords Explanation
Using this model, Rutherford was able to derive the
shape of the Angular Distribution of the scattered
-particles that was observed by Geiger and
Marsden.
To do this he assumed:
The target nucleus has negligible recoil
i.e. it is much more massive than the -particle
1 (2e)( Ze)
V (r )
4 0
r
where r distance between and nucleus
Rutherfords Explanation
He also assumed:
Classical mechanics can be used.
Elastic Scattering
Rutherford Scattering
Z2
1
P( ) 2
T sin 4 2
where T KE of incident - particle
Rutherford Scattering
Geiger and Marsden
showed that the
Rutherford formula was
correct.
Agreed for angles
5 150
P() was proportional to Z2
Z2
1
P( ) 2
T sin 4 2
Rutherford Scattering
Later, Rutherford and Chadwick showed that there was no
deviation from the formula for a large range of -particle
energies.
i.e. There is no deviation from Coulombs Law.
This means that there is no collision between the -particle
and the nucleus.
(At least for the -particle energies available to them at the
time.)
This means that both the -particle and the nucleus had to be
very small!
Eventually deviations from the Rutherford formula were found
when the closest approach of an -particle to the nucleus
was ~ 8 1015 m.
This was the first estimate of the nuclear size.
The Nucleus
A remaining puzzle was the existence of isotopes.
Isotopes = Atoms with the same Z (chemical
properties) but different masses.
This was explained by Rutherfords postulate that the
nucleus consisted of two types of particles.
Protons: = Nucleus of neutral Hydrogen: charge +e
Neutrons: No charge but mass ~ mass of proton.
This postulate was confirmed by Chadwicks
discovery of the neutron. (via a nuclear reaction)
Chemical SymbolN
e.g. 136 C 7
A
Z
H0
2
1
H1
Deuterium (d)
3
1
H2
Tritium
Defined by:
Mass of 126 C atom
1u
1.661 10 27 kg 931.5 MeV/c2
12
12
e.g. Atomic mass of 6 C = 12.000 u
Mass of neutron:
mn = 1.008665 u = 939.57 MeV/c2.
Mass of 1H atom:
mH = 1.007825 u = 938.79 MeV/c2.
Nuclear Size
Later we will see that Nuclear radii are given
approximately by R aA 13
with a = const. 1.2 fm
1 fm = 1 femtometre = 1015 m = 1 fermi