KVPY2011PhysicsCenter of Mass, Momentum and Collision
An electron collides with a free molecules initially in its ground state. The collision leaves the molecules in an excited state that is metastable and does not decay to the ground state by radiation. Let K be the sum of the initial kinetic energies of the electron and the molecule, and P the sum of their initial momenta. Let K ^ and P 'represent the same physical quantities after the collision. Then -
Options
- AK=K^ , P = P ^
- BK^ < K, P = P ^
- CK=K^ , P P ^
- DK^ < K, P P ^
Correct answer
B. K^ < K, P = P ^
Step-by-step solution
Collision of e ⁻ lead to excitation of molecules so Collision is inelastic K ^ < K and loss of kinetic energy go for excitation of molecules. Momentum remain conserved during collision. P = P ^