DeBroglie wavelength and nucleon velocity

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on estimating the velocity of a nucleon within an atomic nucleus using the DeBroglie wavelength formula. Initially, a calculation yielded a velocity of approximately 10^-22 m/s, which was deemed incorrect. A revised calculation, considering a nucleon mass of 1 GeV/c² and a wavelength of ~10^-14 m, resulted in a more accurate estimate of ~0.4c, indicating that nucleons move relativistically within the nucleus.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of DeBroglie wavelength formula
  • Familiarity with Planck's constant (h)
  • Knowledge of nucleon mass in energy units (GeV/c²)
  • Basic concepts of relativistic physics
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  • Learn about the relationship between energy and mass in nuclear physics
  • Explore advanced quantum mechanics concepts related to wave-particle duality
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Homework Statement



Atomic nucleus consists of nucleons. What velocity (order of magnitude estimate) will a nucleon have inside a nucleus?

Homework Equations



[itex]\lambda[/itex] = h/mv

v = h/m[itex]\lambda[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



The wavelength of a nucleus is on the order of 10^-15/m, nucleons have a mass on the order of 10^-27 kg, and h is Plancks Constant. If I do a straight plung-n-chug I get that the velocity should be on the order of 10^-22 m/s.

It seems reasonable to me, but recently that's been a guarantee that it isn't. So does that look reasonable to anyone else?
 
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No, that's not correct. A length scale of 1 fm corresponds to an energy of 197 MeV, which is a good chunk of the 1 GeV mass of a nucleon. You should expect the nucleon to be moving relativistically.
 
Ok, ran it again this time assuming a wavelength for the nucleus of ~10^-14m (a big-ish nucleus), and a nucleon mass of 1GeV/c^2 and came up with a velocity of ~0.4c. Which makes considerably more sense than my first answer.
 

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