(mass 
) emits a gamma ray (electromagnetic radiation) of
energy 
. Calculate the momentum of
this photon. Then calculate the kinetic energy acquired by the iron nucleus as a
result of this process.
Quiz 8 Name(s):
Naturally radioactive species can emit particles or photons.
When they do, because of conservation of momentum, they recoil, i.e. they
acquire a momentum equal and opposite to that of the emitted particle.
Suppose that a nucleus of (mass ) emits a gamma ray (electromagnetic radiation) of
energy . Calculate the momentum of
this photon. Then calculate the kinetic energy acquired by the iron nucleus as a
result of this process.
Data: 
, 
Formula: 
, 
, 
, p = mv, 
Note: This principle is the basis of Mössbauer spectroscopy, a
technique which yields information on chemical environment similar to
that obtained by NMR.