Question

Are the nucleons fundamental particles, or do they consist of still smaller parts? One way to find out is to probe a nucleon just as Rutherford probed an atom. What should be the kinetic energy of an electron for it to be able to probe a nucleon? Assume the diameter of a nucleon to be approximately ${10}^{–15}$ m.

Answer 1

To detect the properties of nucleons inside the nucleus the wavelength of particle which may detect nucleons must be of the size of nucleons (${10}^{–15}$ m)
So the wavelength of particle which can detect the nucleons must be equal to or less than ${10}^{–15}$ m

Given, wavelength $\lambda ={10}^{-15}$ m

we know that, $\lambda =\frac{h}{p}$

And
$KE=PE$

$E=\frac{hc}{\lambda }$
kinetic energy of electron
$=PE=\frac{hc}{\lambda }$

$=\frac{6.6\times {10}^{-34}\times 3\times {10}^8}{{10}^{-15}\times 1.6\times {10}^{-19}}eV$

$KE=1.24\times {10}^{9}eV$

Final Answer: $1.24\times {10}^{9}eV$