8 ms·
OK, how far Way over?
by toss1 5y ago
OK, how far Way over?
- Someone 5y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_particle#Energy_and_absorption https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_particle#Energy_and_abso...: “With a typical kinetic energy of 5 MeV; the speed of emitted alpha particles is 15,000 km/s” 15,000 km/s ÷ 20,000 miles/hour = 15 km/s ÷ 20 miles/hour ≈ 15 km/s ÷ 32 km/hour = 15 × 3,600 ÷ 32 ≈ 1,600 (The kinetic energy of these alpha particles may be a bit lower or higher)
- toss1 5y agoHa! You had me at finding the 15,000 km/s, but the 1,600X ... [chef's kiss] -- excellent!