Question

Are the nucleons fundamental particles or do they consist of still smaller perts One way to find out is to probe a nucleon just as Rutherford probed and atom . What should be the kinetic energy of an electron for it to be able to probe a nucleon? Assume the diameter of a nucleon to be approximately `10^(-15) m.`

Answer 1

Each particle (neutron and proton) present inside the nucleus is called a nucleon.
Let `lambda` be the wavelength `lambda =10^(-15)m`
To detect separate parts inside a nucleon the electron must have wavelength less than `10^(-15)m.`
`"we know that"" "lambda =h/p " and " KE =PE`
`"Energy"" "=(hc)/(lambda)`
From Eq (i) and Eq. (ii)
kinetic energy of electron `=PE= (hc)/(lambda) =(66xx10^(-34) xx 3xx 10^(8))/(10^(-15) xx 16xx 10^(-19)) eV`
`KE =10^(9) eV`