Editing Elastic scattering (section)

==Nuclear particle physics==
For particles with the mass of a proton or greater, elastic scattering is one of the main methods by which the particles interact with matter. At relativistic energies, protons, neutrons, [[helium]] ions, and [[HZE ions]] will undergo numerous elastic collisions before they are dissipated. This is a major concern with many types of [[ionizing radiation]], including [[galactic cosmic rays]], [[solar proton event]]s, free neutrons in [[nuclear weapon]] design and [[nuclear reactor]] design, spaceship design, and the study of the [[Earth's magnetic field]]. In designing an effective [[biological shield]], proper attention must be made to the [[linear energy transfer]] of the particles as they propagate through the shield. In nuclear reactors, the neutron's [[mean free path]] is critical as it undergoes elastic scattering on its way to becoming a slow-moving [[thermal neutron]].

Besides elastic scattering, charged particles also undergo effects from their [[elementary charge]], which repels them away from nuclei and causes their path to be curved inside an [[electric field]]. Particles can also undergo [[inelastic scattering]] and capture due to nuclear reactions. Protons and neutrons do this more often than heavier particles. Neutrons are also capable of causing [[Nuclear fission|fission]] in an incident nucleus. Light nuclei like [[deuterium]] and [[lithium]] can combine in [[nuclear fusion]].