Critical temperature of a superconductor

In summary, the critical temperature of a superconductor, TC, is related to the isotopic mass, M, by the equation TC * square root(M) = a constant. For lead, with an isotopic molar mass of 207.7 g, TC = 7.184 K. To find the critical temperature for an isotopic molar mass of 136.3 g, the same equation can be used and solved for TC. After correcting a possible algebraic error, the correct answer is 8.868 K. This aligns with the understanding that as the mass decreases, the critical temperature should increase.
  • #1
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I have this problem here that I don't understand:
The critical temperature of a superconductor, TC varies with the isotopic mass of the element making up the superconductor, M, according to the relation TC *square root(M) = a constant. In lead, TC = 7.184 K for the isotopic molar mass 207.7 g. What is the critical temperature for the isotopic molar mass 136.3 g?

What I did since TC *square root(M) = a constant, I wrote the same formula for the temp we are looking for and said that both equality are equal since a is constant, and then solve for TC(the one we are looking for), but the answer doesn't seem right.
Can you tell me what I am supposed to do? thanks
 
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  • #2


Sounds like you're on the right track. What answer did you get?
 
  • #3


I got 5.8196 K but it doesn't seem to be the right answer
 
  • #4


You are right, since if the mass goes down then the TC should go up in order to compensate.

How did you set up the problem? (In mathematical terms so I can see where you went wrong)

I would guess it's a simple algebraic error.
 
  • #5


i pose TC1*square root(M1)= a = TC2*square root(M2) oh! i might have made a mistake of rearranging and solving.now i got 8.868 K
 
  • #6


Yea, that's what I got too.
 
  • #7


Thank you very much
 

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