Exams › NEET › Physics

In a Rutherford scattering experiment when a projectile of charge Z₁ and mass M₁ approaches a target nucleus of charge Z₂ and mass M₂, the distance of closest approach is r₀. The energy of the projectile is

1. directly proportional to Z₁ Z₂
2. inversely proportional to Z₁
3. directly proportional to mass M₁
4. directly proportional to M₁ × M₂

Correct answer: directly proportional to Z₁ Z₂

Solution

The distance of closest approach in Rutherford scattering is determined by the electrostatic potential energy, which is proportional to the product of the charges Z₁ and Z₂. Hence, the energy of the projectile is directly proportional to Z₁Z₂.

Related NEET Physics questions

• The ground state energy of H-atom 13.6 eV. The energy needed to ionize H-atom from its second excited state.
• To explain his theory, Bohr used
• The ionisation energy of hydrogen atom is 13.6 eV, the ionisation energy of helium atom would be
• For the wavelength λ = 975 Å, calculate the number of spectral lines emitted when an electron transitions from n = 4 to n = 1.
• The ratio of temperatures T₁/T₂ is proportional to the cube of the ratio of principal quantum numbers n₁/n₂. If n₁ = 2n₂, find the ratio T₁/T₂.
• According to the Rydberg formula, calculate the wavelength λ₁ for the transition from n = 4 to n = 3.

⚔️ Practice NEET Physics free + battle 1v1 →