An a particle with a kinetic energy of 1.0 MeV is headed straight toward a gold nucleus.
(a) Find the distance of closest approach between the centers of the α particle and gold nucleus. (Assume the gold nucleus remains stationary. Since its mass is much larger than that of the α particle, this assumption is a fairly good approximation.)
(b) Will the two get close enough to "touch"?
(c) What is the minimum initial kinetic energy of an a particle that will make contact with the gold nucleus?