A relatively new method of treating cancers is to bombard the tumorwith protons (The nuclei of hydrogen). The idea is that the protonswill eject electrons from the molecules of the cell, and thenelectrostatic forces (discussed in physics 1202W) will then pullthe molecule apart. If this happens in the cell DNA, the cell willbe sterile and thus will not reproduce but will disappear after itsnatural lifetime.

Electrons are however bound to their individual atoms, which meanthat relative to the world they have negative potential energy. Itis therefore necessary to transfer energy to them in order torelease them.

Consider the most favorable case. A proton collides head on with anelectron, so that after the collision, they both leave in the samedirection as the proton was incident.. The collision is elastic,i.e. no loss of energy, and the average binding (potential) energyof the electrons in the tumor cells is -5 electron volts.

What is the minimum energy of the incoming proton which will ejectan average electron? If instead of it being an elastic collision,the electron sticks to the proton to form a hydrogen atom, whatthen would be the minimum energy of the incoming proton?

( 1 electron volt = 6 x 10-18 Joules.

Mass of a proton 1..6 x 10- 27 Kg,

Mass of an electron 9.1 x 10-31 Kg).

A relatively new method of treating cancers is to bombard the tumorwith protons (The nuclei of hydrogen). The idea is that the protonswill eject electrons from the molecules of the cell, and thenelectrostatic forces (discussed in physics 1202W) will then pullthe molecule apart. If this happens in the cell DNA, the cell willbe sterile and thus will not reproduce but will disappear after itsnatural lifetime.

Electrons are however bound to their individual atoms, which meanthat relative to the world they have negative potential energy. Itis therefore necessary to transfer energy to them in order torelease them.

Consider the most favorable case. A proton collides head on with anelectron, so that after the collision, they both leave in the samedirection as the proton was incident.. The collision is elastic,i.e. no loss of energy, and the average binding (potential) energyof the electrons in the tumor cells is -5 electron volts.

What is the minimum energy of the incoming proton which will ejectan average electron? If instead of it being an elastic collision,the electron sticks to the proton to form a hydrogen atom, whatthen would be the minimum energy of the incoming proton?

( 1 electron volt = 6 x 10-18 Joules.

Mass of a proton 1..6 x 10- 27 Kg,

Mass of an electron 9.1 x 10-31 Kg).

if you could give a step by step of how to go about this, very muchappreciated

Physiology 2130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Body Fluid, Kidney Failure, Brainstem

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