Calculate velocity of a 1MeV Neutron

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the velocity of a 1 MeV neutron. Participants clarify that the energy (E) in the relevant equations represents the total energy, which includes both rest mass and kinetic energy. Given that the neutron's rest mass is approximately 940 MeV, a non-relativistic approach using the formula E=(mv²)/2 is deemed appropriate for estimating velocity. The conclusion is that the velocity can be approximated as v=c/22.

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rem45
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How would one calculate the velocity of a 1MeV neutron??

I tried the following the attached formula for V/C but E is less than the rest mass which yields the square root of a negative number. Not sure what to do for this
 

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1 MeV here is surely the kinetic energy, not the total (rest plus kinetic) energy.
 
It doesn't say. I guess that I will assume such. Is the 'E' in the equation I am using for the rest mass energy plus the kinetic energy?
 
Since a neutron has a higher rest mass than 1MeV, then one should safely assume that kinetic energy is what is meant here.

The E in that equation is indeed the rest+kinetic energy.
 
Since the neutron rest mass is approximately 940 Mev, you probably could use E=(mv^2)/2 to get v. (v=c/22?).
 
Last edited:
mathman said:
Since the neutron rest mass is approximately 940 Mev, you probably could use E=(mv^2)/2 to get v. (v=c/22?).
I agree that a nonrelativistic approach should be fine - it is a very good approximation.
 

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