De Broglie wavelength of a neutron

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SUMMARY

The de Broglie wavelength of a neutron with kinetic energy equivalent to the average kinetic energy of a gas at temperature T = 17 K can be calculated using the formula λ = h/p = h/mv. The initial attempt to calculate the wavelength using h = 6.63E-34 J·s and the mass of the neutron (1.6E-27 kg) resulted in an incorrect value of 100.500 nm. The discussion highlights the necessity of using the complete formula for velocity derived from kinetic theory, specifically KE = 3/2 kB*T, to accurately determine the momentum and subsequently the de Broglie wavelength.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of de Broglie wavelength calculations
  • Familiarity with kinetic theory of gases
  • Knowledge of the relationship between temperature and kinetic energy
  • Basic grasp of units in physics, particularly in energy and momentum
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  • Study the derivation of the kinetic energy formula KE = 3/2 kB*T
  • Learn how to calculate momentum from velocity in the context of gas particles
  • Explore the implications of temperature on particle motion and wavelength
  • Investigate the relationship between mass, velocity, and de Broglie wavelength in different contexts
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Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, as well as researchers interested in the behavior of neutrons in gaseous states.

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Homework Statement


What is the de Broglie wavelength of a neutron whose kinetic energy is equal to the average kinetic energy of a gas of neutrons at temperature T = 17 K?


Homework Equations


lambda = h/p = h/mv.


The Attempt at a Solution



Well first I tried taking the h = 6.63E-34 Jxs and dividing it by the mass times the square root of T = 17 K

Thus,

(6.63E-34)/(1.6E-27 kg)(sqrt(17)) x (1E9 m) = 100.500 nm.

I did this because we know from kinetic theory that T is proportional to the root mean square velocity v in the gas, so that v scales as sqrt(T). This means that the momentum scales in the same way, while the wavelength as 1/sqrt(T).

I'm not sure where to go from here, since the answer is not correct. =/
 
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Physics321 said:

(6.63E-34)/(1.6E-27 kg)(sqrt(17)) x (1E9 m) = 100.500 nm.

I did this because we know from kinetic theory that T is proportional to the root mean square velocity v in the gas, so that v scales as sqrt(T). This means that the momentum scales in the same way, while the wavelength as 1/sqrt(T).

The Attempt at a Solution



If you look at the units alone you can see that the formula has some problems.
What are the units for sqrt(17K)? (I suppose you mean 17K)
It is true that v is proportional with sqrt(T) but it is not equal to this.
You need to take the complete formula for v (or p) from the kinetic theory of gases to get the right units (and the right answer, maybe).

You can start with KE= 3/2 kB*T where KE is the average kinetic energy.
 

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