Question: Q. 3. Two atoms in the ground state collide inelastically. The maximum amount by which their combined kinetic energy is reduced is
(a) .
(b) .
(c) .
(d) .
[NCERT Exemplar]
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Solution:
Ans. Correct option : (a)
Explanation : Total energy of two -atom in ground state .
The maximum amount by which their combined kinetic energy is reduced when any one -atom goes into first excited state after the inelastic collision, that is, the total energy of two H-atom after inelastic collision :
So that the loss in kinetic energy due to inelastic collision will be,