Energy, time and length corresponding to mass of electron.

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the energy, time, and length corresponding to the mass of an electron using quantum electrodynamics (QED) principles. The mass of the electron is established as 9.11E-31 kg, leading to an energy calculation of 0.511 MeV using the equation E=mc². Length is derived as 386 femtometers (fm) using the relation c * hbar = 197 MeV * fm, while time is calculated as 1.288E-21 seconds using hbar = 6.58E-22 MeV * s. The discussion highlights the importance of conventions in using the reduced Planck constant (hbar) versus the Planck constant in these calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum electrodynamics (QED)
  • Familiarity with the mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc²)
  • Knowledge of Planck's constant and reduced Planck constant (hbar)
  • Basic concepts of particle physics and units of measurement (MeV, fm)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the de Broglie wavelength of an electron for comparative analysis
  • Study the conventions in quantum mechanics regarding the use of Planck's constant
  • Explore the implications of using natural units in particle physics calculations
  • Learn more about quantum electrodynamics and its applications in modern physics
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in physics, particularly those focusing on quantum mechanics and particle physics, will benefit from this discussion. It is also valuable for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of energy-mass relationships and fundamental constants in QED.

H_Psi
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hey,
I am starting to learn the basics of QED and I am trying to get acquainted with the units and scales that are used.

Homework Equations


The exercise is to estimate the energy, time and length that correspond to the mass of an electron.

The Attempt at a Solution



That’s what I did:
The mass of an electron is 9.11E-31 kg.

Energy:
E=mc^2 gives me an energy of 0.511MeV.

Length:
Here I used the equation: c * hbar = 197 MeV * fm
-> 386fm = c * hbar / (0.511MeV)
-> In natural units: 386fm = 1 / (0.511MeV)

Time:
Here I used the equation: hbar = 6.58E-22 MeV * s
-> 1.288E-21 s = hbar / (0.511MeV)
-> In natural units: 1.288E-21 s = 1 / (0.511MeV)


Is this calculation correct? Is that the way one can calculate the length and time corresponding to a mass?
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Makes sense, but I'd take a look at the equation you used to find the length. Do you really want to be using the reduced Planck constant (hbar) there, or simply the Planck constant (2*pi*hbar)? You can look up the de Broglie wavelength of an electron, and you'll see your value is a bit small.
 
That depends on the convention, right? For instance, in Peskin, the convention is to use hbar as the base unit (of action). I don't recall seeing anyone use just plane h as the base unit, but it is just a convention.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
30K
Replies
14
Views
2K