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It is found that if a neutron suffers an elastic collinear collision with deuterium at rest, fractional loss of its energy is p_d; while for its similar collision with carbon nucleus at rest, fractional loss of energy is p_c. The value of p_d and p_c are respectively:

1. (0.89, 0.28)
2. (0.28, 0.89)
3. (0, 0)
4. (0, 1)

Correct answer: (0.89, 0.28)

Solution

In an elastic collision, the fractional loss of energy depends on the mass of the target nucleus. Deuterium, being a light nucleus, results in a higher fractional energy loss for the neutron compared to carbon, which is heavier and thus absorbs less energy in the collision.

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