In a certain particle accelerator, a current of 800 μA is carried by a 6.00-MeV proton beam that has a radius of 1.50 mm. The mass of a proton is 1.67 × 10^-27 kg. If the beam hits a target, how many protons hit the target in 5 s?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of protons hitting the target is calculated by dividing the total charge by the charge of a single proton. Total charge = current × time = 800 μA × 5 s = 4 × 10^-3 C. The charge of a proton is approximately 1.6 × 10^-19 C. Therefore, the number of protons = (4 × 10^-3 C) / (1.6 × 10^-19 C/proton) = 2.5 × 10^16 protons.

In a Certain Particle Accelerator, a Current of 800 μA