A neutron collides head-on with a stationary hydrogen atom in ground state. Which of the following statements are correct (Assume that the hydrogen atom and neutron has same mass):

Moderate

A

If kinetic energy of the neutron is less than 20.4 eV collision must be elastic.
B

If kinetic energy of the neutron is less than 20.4 eV collision may be inelastic.
C

Inelastic collision may take place only when initial kinetic energy of neutron is greater than 20.4 eV.
D

Perfectly inelastic collision can not take place.

Solution

Loss of energy for inelastic collision $= \frac{E}{2}$
$(When m_{1} = m_{2})$
$\begin{array}{l} ∴ \frac{E_{min}}{2} = 10 .2 eV [First excitation energy] \\ \Rightarrow E_{min} = 20 .4 eV \end{array}$

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