Electron in a box. Finding the length of the box. (infinite well)

AI Thread Summary
To find the length of a one-dimensional box confining an electron, the energy difference between two adjacent allowed states is used. The equation ΔE = E2 - E1 = (n²h²π²)/(2ml²) relates energy levels to the box length. The challenge arises from the lack of specific energy levels, making it difficult to directly calculate the box length. A suggested approach is to express n2 as n1 + 1 and create a system of equations to solve for the length. This method allows for the determination of the box length despite the missing explicit energy levels.
aaron-physics
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



An electron is confined in a one-dimensional box (an infinite well). Two adjacent allowed energies of the electron are 1.068 × 10-18 J and 1.352 × 10-18 J. What is the length of the box? (h = 6.626 × 10-34 J · s, mass of electron = 9.11 × 10-31 kg)

Homework Equations


\Delta E = E_2-E_1 = \dfrac{n^2h^2\pi^2}{2ml^2}

n = energy level, h =Planck's constant, m = effective mass, l is the length of the box.

The Attempt at a Solution


I am having a lot of trouble with this problem because they do not give the energy levels the electron moves between. They only say that they are "adjacent".

If they were given I see the length would be

l = \sqrt{\dfrac{h^2\pi^2}{2m\Delta E} (n^2_2-n^2_1)}

but without knowing n_1 or n_2 I am stuck.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
try writing n2 as n1 + 1 and forming a system of equations
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanged mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top