Question

When a high-energy proton or pion traveling near the speed of light collides with a nucleus, it may travel 2.5 x 10-15 m before interacting. From this information, find the time interval required for the strong interaction to occur.

Answer 1

Explanation:

It is given that,

When a high-energy proton or pion traveling near the speed of light collides with a nucleus, $d=2.5\times 10^{-15}\ m$

Speed of light, $c=3\times 10^{8}\ m\s$

Let t is the time interval required for the strong interaction to occur. The speed is given by :

$c=\dfrac{d}{t}$

$t=\dfrac{d}{c}$

$t=\dfrac{2.5\times 10^{-15}\ m}{3\times 10^{8}\ m/s}$

$t=8.33\times 10^{-24}\ s$

So, the time interval required for the strong interaction to occur is $8.33\times 10^{-24}\ s$. Hence, this is the required solution.