- #1
DunWorry
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Homework Statement
I have a misunderstanding of when I can safely use eV units in a formula. For example in the formula p = [itex]\sqrt{\frac{E^{2} - m^{2}c^{4}}{c^{2}}}[/itex] I can put the energy and mass in terms of MeV and get an answer with units MeV/C, which makes sense. But then there was this formula I was using e[itex]^{-\sqrt{\frac{2m (V-E)}{h^{2}}}x} [/itex]
where m is mass, v is potential, e is energy, h bar squared on bottom (I couldn't find symbol) and x is in metres. It is supposed to give probability which is dimensionless. However, if I put in mass, potential and energy in terms of eV, I get a wrong answer. if I convert the mass into kg, put potential and energy in terms of joules then I get the correct answer. Why could I use eV in the first case but had to convert in the second case? is it because I am multiplying by x which is in metres so it somehow does not work with eV? what if I had another formula with mass/energy and was multiplying by a speed with units m/s? would I again have to convert all eV units into kg/joules etc?
Are there any general rules I should keep in mind whilst working with eV?
Thanks