Question

A neutron in a nuclear reactor collides head on elastically with the nucleus of a carbon atom initially at rest. The fraction of kinetic energy transferred from the neutron to the carbon atom is

(a) 11/12

(b) 2/11

(c) 48/121

(d) 48/169

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) 48/169.

Explanation:

Let m and M be the masses of neutron and carbon nucleus (at rest) respectively. 

If u and v are the velocity of neutron before and after collision, then