A proton is located at the origin, and a second proton is locatedon the x-axis at x = 5.12 fm (1 fm = 10-15 m).
(a) Calculate the electric potential energy associated with this configuration.
(b) An alpha particle (charge = 2e, mass =6.64 x10-27 kg) is now placed at(x, y) = (2.56,2.56) fm. Calculate the electricpotential energy associated with this configuration.
(c) Starting with the three particle system, find the change inelectric potential energy if the alpha particle is allowed toescape to infinity while the two protons remain fixed in place.(Throughout, neglect any radiation effects.)
(d) Use conservation of energy to calculate the speed of the alphaparticle at infinity.
(e) If the two protons are released from rest and the alphaparticle remains fixed, calculate the speed of the protons atinfinity.