Physics A-Level
distance of closest approach
What distance of closest approach means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of distance of closest approach
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Reference: AQA
The distance d at which a head-on alpha particle stops, where Coulomb potential energy equals its initial kinetic energy Ek.
Topics that use distance of closest approach
- Nuclear radius (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Closest approach
- de Broglie wavelength
- first minimum
- Nuclear density
- Nuclear radius
- Proportional reasoning in nuclear physics
- Relationship between radius, volume and density
- Scale and structure of the nucleus
Using distance of closest approach in the exam
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