A simple leading particle explanation for linear momentum transfer systematics

A simple formula based on leading particle models of nucleon-nucleon collisions is used to evaluate the average momentum transfer in central heavy ion collisions at energies from 20 to 150 MeV/u. This formula, which reproduces a number of the features of the observed systematics, offers a straightforward explanation for the approximate universality of fractional linear momentum transfer as a function of velocity, the dependence of fractional momentum transfer on target mass and the greater fractional momentum transfer of the proton as compared to heavy ion projectiles.