Converting density unit ##MeV^4## to SI units

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conversion of the density unit in natural units, specifically ##MeV^4##, to SI units of ##kg/m^3##. Participants explore the relationships between energy units and their implications in unit conversion, touching on theoretical and practical aspects of dimensional analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a method for converting ##MeV^4## to SI units but finds that the result does not yield ##kg/m^3##.
  • Another participant shares a limerick emphasizing the importance of careful unit conversion, noting that eV is primarily a unit of energy and not directly applicable to mass or length without the context of natural units.
  • There is a correction regarding the value of 1 eV, with participants clarifying that it is equal to ##1.6 \times 10^{-19} J##.
  • A participant suggests that the conversion involves understanding energy density and provides a formula involving ##\hbar c##, indicating that the conversion can yield results in ##MeV/fm^3## before further conversion to SI units.
  • Some participants argue about the necessity of introducing ##\hbar c## in the conversion process, with differing opinions on its relevance.
  • One participant emphasizes that using the relation ##197 MeV \cdot fm = 1## simplifies the conversion without explicitly mentioning ##\hbar c##.
  • Another participant points out that the previous statement about simplifying the conversion still implicitly involves ##\hbar c##.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best approach to the conversion, with some advocating for the use of ##\hbar c## and others suggesting it is unnecessary. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal method for conversion and the implications of using different units.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of unit conversion, including the need for precise values and the potential for approximations. There are also discussions about the assumptions underlying the use of natural units.

Safinaz
Messages
255
Reaction score
8
TL;DR
Converting density unit ##MeV^4## to ##kg/m^3##
How to transform density unit in natural units $MeV^4$ to SI units $kg/m^3$,

Here's my trial:

##MeV^4 = (10^6)^4 ~ eV^4 = 10^{24} ~ eV^4 ##,

## eV = 1.6 * 10^{-19}~ kg~ m^2 / sec^2, ##

##MeV^4 = 10^{24} ~ 1.6^4 * 10^{-40} ~ kg^4 m^8 / sec^8 ##

This is not simply ##kg/m^3##!

Any help how to make this conversion!

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
One of my favourite limericks is applicable:

To figure the inches you’ve run,
Or to find the slug mass of the sun,
Forget your aversion
To unit conversion.
Just multiply (wisely!) by 1.


https://www.physics.harvard.edu/undergrad/limericks

eV is a unit of energy and is not really a unit of inverse length or mass unless you are using natural units where ##c = \hbar = 1##. Combine that information with the suggestions of the limerick.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ohwilleke and mfb
Also, 1 eV is 1.6e-19 J, not 1.6e-10 J …
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ohwilleke and Safinaz
Orodruin said:
Also, 1 eV is 1.6e-19 J, not 1.6e-10 J …
Corrected in the post.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ohwilleke
Orodruin said:
One of my favourite limericks is applicable:

To figure the inches you’ve run,
Or to find the slug mass of the sun,
Forget your aversion
To unit conversion.
Just multiply (wisely!) by 1.


https://www.physics.harvard.edu/undergrad/limericks

eV is a unit of energy and is not really a unit of inverse length or mass unless you are using natural units where ##c = \hbar = 1##. Combine that information with the suggestions of the limerick.
I meant conversations like here: https://www.seas.upenn.edu/~amyers/NaturalUnits.pdf

Table(1)
 
I guess you have an energy-density here. The dimension is ##[E][L]^{-3}##. In natural units, where ##\hbar=c=1##, the units are ##\text{MeV}^4##. All you need is that ##\hbar c \simeq 197 \text{MeV} \; \text{fm}##. To get from the natural units you need just to multiply by the appropriate powers of ##\hbar c##. In your case you have
##u =1 \; \text{MeV}^4/(\hbar c)^3.##
You'll get your answer in ##\text{MeV}/\text{fm}^3##. Then you only need the conversion factors to Joule and meters: ##1 \text{MeV}=10^6 \text{eV} \simeq 1.6 \cdot 10^{-19} \cdot 10^6 \text{J}=1.6 \cdot 10^{-13} \; \text{J}## and ##1 \; \text{fm}=10^{-15} \; \text{m}##.

If you have a mass sensity you have to divide in addition by ##c^2## with ##c \simeq 3 \cdot 10^8 \text{m}/\text{s}##.

Of course my conversion factors are just rough approximations. If you really need high precision, look up the precise values in, e.g., the "particle data booklet":

https://pdg.lbl.gov/2022/web/viewer.html?file=../reviews/rpp2022-rev-phys-constants.pdf
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Meir Achuz, ohwilleke and dextercioby
I prefer to say 197MeV-fm =1. Introducing hbar c is uneccessary.
 
Meir Achuz said:
I prefer to say 197MeV-fm =1. Introducing hbar c is uneccessary.
Introducing 197 MeV fm = 1 you just introduced ##\hbar c##, you just didn’t call it that.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: vanhees71

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K