To determine whether a reaction can occur when a proton nucleus is shot by another proton with a given energy, we need to consider several factors, such as the energy threshold for a reaction and the properties of the interacting particles. However, the specific details of the reaction you're referring to are not provided.
In general, for a reaction to occur between two protons, their kinetic energies must be sufficiently high to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between their positive charges and allow for a close interaction.
If we assume that the energy provided, E = 3.2 × 10^-13 J, corresponds to the kinetic energy of the incident proton, we can make some general observations:
Energy threshold: Different nuclear reactions have specific energy thresholds that must be exceeded for the reaction to take place. The specific reaction you are referring to and its energy threshold are not mentioned, so it is difficult to determine if the given energy is sufficient for that particular reaction.
Relative energies: It is also important to consider the kinetic energy of the target proton nucleus (the one being shot at) and its specific properties. The energy of the incident proton alone is not sufficient to assess whether a reaction will occur without additional information.
Cross-section and interaction probability: The likelihood of a reaction occurring depends on the interaction cross-section, which describes the effective area for interaction between the particles. The cross-section depends on the specific reaction and the energies involved.
To provide a more definitive answer, we would need more details about the reaction in question, such as the specific particles involved, the energy threshold for the reaction, and the characteristics of the target nucleus.