Answer:
a)
b)
Explanation:
Searching the missed information we have:
E: is the energy emitted in the plutonium decay = 8.40x10⁻¹³ J
m(⁴He): is the mass of the helium nucleus = 6.68x10⁻²⁷ kg
m(²³⁵U): is the mass of the helium U-235 nucleus = 3.92x10⁻²⁵ kg
a) We can find the velocities of the two nuclei by conservation of linear momentum and kinetic energy:
Linear momentum:
Since the plutonium nucleus is originally at rest, :
(1)
Kinetic Energy:
(2)
By entering equation (1) into (2) we have:
Solving the above equation for we have:
And by entering that value into equation (1):
The minus sign means that the helium-4 nucleus is moving in the opposite direction to the uranium-235 nucleus.
b) Now, the kinetic energy of each nucleus is:
For He-4:
For U-235:
I hope it helps you!