question_answer 20)

Calculate the height of Coulomb barrier for the head-on collision of two deuterons. The effective radius of deuteron can be taken to be 2.0 fm.  

Answer:

The initial mechanical energy E of the two deutrons before collision is given by E = 2 K.E. (K.E. = kinetic energy) When the two deutrons stop, their energy is totally potential energy U given by Using law of conservation of energy, 2 K.E. K.E. But K.E. Coulomb barrier = 180000 eV= 180 ke V P.E. = 2K.E. = 180 x 2 = 360 keV.