Which interaction occurs when some neutron kinetic energy is transferred to the nucleus and the nucleus becomes excited?

Which interaction occurs when some neutron kinetic energy is transferred to the nucleus and the nucleus becomes excited?

• A. Elastic Scatter
• B. Inelastic Scatter
• C. Photoelectric Effect
• D. Pair Production

Answer: (B)

Neutron interactions with nuclei can either leave the nucleus in its ground state or lift it to an excited state. When some of the neutron’s kinetic energy is absorbed by the nucleus to promote it to a higher energy level, the nucleus becomes excited and this is called inelastic scattering. After excitation, the nucleus often de-excites by emitting gamma radiation as it returns to the ground state, and the neutron usually loses energy in the process. In contrast, elastic scattering involves no change in the internal energy of the nucleus—the nucleus remains in its ground state and energy is simply redistributed as kinetic energy between the neutron and the nucleus. The photoelectric effect and pair production involve photons, not neutrons, so they don’t describe this neutron-induced excitation.

Neutron interactions with nuclei can either leave the nucleus in its ground state or lift it to an excited state. When some of the neutron’s kinetic energy is absorbed by the nucleus to promote it to a higher energy level, the nucleus becomes excited and this is called inelastic scattering. After excitation, the nucleus often de-excites by emitting gamma radiation as it returns to the ground state, and the neutron usually loses energy in the process. In contrast, elastic scattering involves no change in the internal energy of the nucleus—the nucleus remains in its ground state and energy is simply redistributed as kinetic energy between the neutron and the nucleus. The photoelectric effect and pair production involve photons, not neutrons, so they don’t describe this neutron-induced excitation.