Physics A-Level
Closest approach
What Closest approach means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Closest approach
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Reference: AQA
The point at which all the alpha particle's initial kinetic energy has become electrostatic potential energy, allowing an estimate of the distance and hence an upper limit for the nuclear radius.
Topics that use Closest approach
- Nuclear radius (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- de Broglie wavelength
- distance of closest approach
- first minimum
- Nuclear density
- Nuclear radius
- Proportional reasoning in nuclear physics
- Relationship between radius, volume and density
- Scale and structure of the nucleus
Using Closest approach in the exam
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