● In a cyclotron, high energy protons are directed towards a stationary target.

In the Large Hadron Collider, beams of high energy protons circulating an

opposite direction cross, so that they collide. For the same total initial
energy, colliding proton beams allow the creation of particles of greater
mass. Explain why, using principles of conservation of momentum.

➔ With a stationary target, there is initial momentum whereas with colliding

beam, the total initial momentum = 0.
➔ So for LHC, the final momentum has to be 0, hence no Ek of particles after
collision.
➔ Therefore all of the energy goes to creation of particles for LHC according
to conservation of mass-energy.

● Assumption made when applying

● State why the alpha source and gold foil were contained in a vacuum.

➔ So that the air particles do not collide with the Alpha particles and stop
them from reaching the gold foil.