Calculate the CSDA range continuous slowing down approximati

Calculate the CSDA range (continuous slowing down approximation) of a 4.6 MeV alpha particle in water. Answer in microns please.

CSDA range formula:

R=Int(dE/S) limits:0 to E=4.6MeV

Here: S= stopping power of alpha particle in water

Use the data in tables in our textbook to take the value of S at 4.6 MeV

substitute the values of E and S in below equation and solve for range

R=E/S

Compare alpha and proton as follows

R-alpha=(M/Z^2)R_proton

In water speed of alpha particle and the proton are the same

So the ratio between kinetic energy is

T_alpha/T_proton = M_alpha/M_proton=4

From above relation, we have

R proportional to M, so it is also propotional to kinetic energy.

Use this information and data in the tablea in our text book and compare the results for two particles

Note: required data is missing in problem, so we can use the above relations and solve it