What is the Wavelength of Neutrons at Room Temperature?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the wavelength of neutrons at room temperature, specifically focusing on the relationship between energy, momentum, and wavelength in quantum mechanics. The original poster seeks clarification on the calculations involving electron volts (eV) and the application of relevant equations to determine the wavelength of neutrons based on their kinetic energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the conversion of electron volts to joules and discuss the implications for calculating the wavelength of neutrons. There are attempts to relate kinetic energy to velocity and wavelength using the De Broglie hypothesis. Some participants question the applicability of certain equations to particles with mass.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active with various approaches being explored. Some participants provide alternative methods for calculating the wavelength, while others raise questions about the assumptions underlying the equations being used. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that neutrons have rest mass, which influences the choice of equations. There is also mention of the original poster's reference materials, which may impose certain constraints on the discussion.

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Hey, this is my first week in Quantum class, going pretty well so far.

My first questoin is:

1.) What is an eV a Unit of...give it in terms of MKS

Well my answer is that it is a unit of energy, and for MKS...

1 Electron*Volt = Joules

1 electron has a charge of 1.602*10^-19 C

1 Volt = 1 J/C

Therefore

1.602*10^-19*1 means that

1 eV = 1.602*10^-19 J

Is this correct reasoning?

My next Question

Neutrons at room Temperature have a kinetic energy of around .02 eV. What is their wavelength?

KE = 0.2 eV

0.2 eV = q*V

p = h/lambda

1 eV = 1.609*10^-19 J

h = 6.626*10^-34 J*s * 1 ev/(1.609*10^-19 J)

Therefore I get Planck's constant in terms of eV

h = 4.136*10^-15 eV*s

But how do I use the 0.2 eV in terms of the p = h/lambda?

Thanks for any assistance!
 
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For the second part i can think of no other way but to get the velocity of the neutrons from the kinetic energy using

[tex]K = m_{n}c^2(\gamma -1)[/tex] and then use the De Broglie Hypothesis about wavelength

[tex]\lambda = \frac{h}{mv}[/tex]

and [tex]\gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}[/tex]
 
Thanks! But I'm looking at my notes, and it says that the equation applies only to massless particles?
 
[tex]E^{2} = p^{2}c^{2} + m_{0} ^{2} c^{4}[/tex] is the expression for particles with mass.
 
1.NEUTRONS HAVE REST MASS.

2.U don't need the relativistic formula.
[tex]\lambda=\frac{h}{p}=\frac{h}{\sqrt{2mE}}[/tex]

Daniel.
 

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