Perhaps some more pieces to the puzzle... 

1) There was a recent article (within last 2 months) in PhysOrg that had to do 
with how angular
momentum (rotational energy) was converted into other forms of E. 

2) Doppler effect found even at molecular level (PhysOrg, May 11, 2011).

-Mark


-----Original Message-----
From: Jones Beene [mailto:jone...@pacbell.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 3:07 PM
To: vortex-l@eskimo.com
Subject: RE: [Vo]:Question about Coulomb Barrier

Craig,

I don't if this helps, but most metals tend to be relatively transparent to 
neutrons, due to the
scattering cross-section which is caused by spin, not by anything related to 
charge. The Coulomb
barrier is not involved AFIK with neutrons. 

A few metals like cadmium will absorb neutrons of the correct velocity to 
nullify spin effects, but
in general neutrons must be slowed way-down (thermalized) before they can 
interact with say nickel;
and usually they easily would escape the reactor long before that happens 
unless they are extremely
"cold" - low velocity. Thus the W&L "ULM", which because it is cold/slow can 
stay around longer and
have a much better chance of an interaction.

IOW the approaching neutron will only interact at a significant rate if it 
extraordinarily slow in
velocity.

Jones


-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Haynie 

Hello all!

I've got a question that I believe you could help me with:

I understand that the coulomb barrier is the point at which the Strong Force 
will become dominant,
and overcome the natural repulsion of two nuclei as they are moved closer 
together. But can neutrons
penetrate the coulomb barrier without any problem, since they are not repelled 
by the positive
charge in the nucleus? Is this why the Widom-Larsen hypothesis posits the entry 
of weak neutrons
into the nucleus?

Craig Haynie
Manchester, NH




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