Derive Planck Length in terms of c, G, and h_bar

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving the Planck length in terms of the constants c (speed of light), G (gravitational constant), and h_bar (reduced Planck constant). The original poster indicates difficulty in connecting the escape velocity of a star to the derivation of Planck length.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to equate the escape velocity formula with the speed of light and considers using the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to relate momentum and position. Some participants discuss the definition of Planck length and its relevance to the problem, while others explore algebraic manipulations to derive the desired expression.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, exploring various approaches and questioning the assumptions involved. Some have provided partial derivations and expressed uncertainty about how to simplify their results further. There is no explicit consensus on the best method to derive the Planck length.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem may involve assumptions about the physical meaning of Planck length and its application in quantum mechanics, which could influence the derivation process. The original poster also mentions a perceived simplicity to the problem that they are struggling to uncover.

MCS5280
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Homework Statement



a. The first part of this problem was to derive the escape speed (Vesc) for a star of mass M and radius R.

b. The second part is where I am having trouble. It says to equate the Vesc calculated above and derive a formula for Planck length in terms of c, G, and h_bar.

Homework Equations



This is from the Heisenberg uncertainty section for position and momentum so:

\DeltaX * \DeltaP = h_bar/2

E = mc2

The Attempt at a Solution



The escape velocity I calculated from part a was Vesc = \sqrt{2GM/R}

Equating Vesc to C gives:

C = \sqrt{2GM/R}

Am I supposed to assume that \Deltap = Mc and solve for \Deltax using the Heisenberg uncertainty principle?

I have tried a couple of different methods and I can't get this to simplify down to the form I need. I am pretty sure this is an easy problem, I just am not seeing the trick.
 
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According to Wikipedia the Planck length is defined as sqrt(hG/c^3)
I think it is just a way to get units of meters out of those fundamental constants.
I don't think it has a physical meaning, except in quantum mechanics which doesn't seem to apply to the problem you have.
 
Ok I think I am getting close to this one:

c=\sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}}

M=\frac{c^2 R}{2G}

Using the Heisenberg Principal:
\DeltaX \DeltaP = \frac{h_bar}{2}

\DeltaP = c M

Solving this for \DeltaX
\DeltaX = \frac{G h_bar}{c^3 R}

How do I get the square root and get rid of the R? :frown:
 
Gravity level
c =under root of (2GM/R)
where R=L (Planck's Length) on gravity level
so c =under root of (2GM/L)

Uncertainty principle
uncertainty in momentum x uncertainty in position = reduced Planck constant/2
mv x L = reduced Planck constant/2
here on quantum level, Uncertainty in position is Planck length and velocity is c (velocity of light)
mcL= reduced h/2
m=reduced h/(2cL)

put the value of m in value of c in gravity level
c square = 2 G reduced h/(2cL*R)
c square = 2 G reduced h/(2cL*L)
where R=L (Planck length on gravity level)
Derive L (Planck length) from above equation.
 

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