The First Nuclear Reaction Observed Saw an Alpha Particle (Z

Multiple Choice

The first nuclear reaction observed saw an alpha particle (Z = 2) interact with a nitrogen nucleus in air (Z = 7) to produce a proton.The energy of the alpha particle was 55 MeV,enough to enable the nuclei to touch in spite of the Coulomb repulsion.What distance between the centers of the alpha particle and the nitrogen was reached? This determines a nuclear radius for nitrogen.Use 1 fm = 10^-15 m.

A) 0.37 fm
B) 0.18 fm
C) 0.05 fm
D) 158.40 fm