Kinetic Energy of neutron and electron

In summary, the question in the textbook is asking to find the kinetic energies of an electron and neutron with the same de Broglie wavelength. Mathematically, the momentum of both particles must be the same and their kinetic energies must be in a ratio of 2000:1, which is the same ratio as their mass. However, there are two answers given (4.34 ueV and 0.236 neV), which raises the question of why their kinetic energies are different if they are both absorbing the same amount of energy. The question is purely about the de Broglie wavelength and does not involve any energy absorption. The discrepancy between the logical and mathematical aspects may be due to a mistake in the equations used to solve
  • #1
Dexter Neutron
50
0
Question in my textbook:-
The wavelength of light from the spectral emmision line of sodium is 589 nm.
Find the kinetic energies of electron and neutron at which they both have same de broglie wavelength.

Logically, since light of same energy is falling on both then their kinetic energies must be same thus single answer, but there are two answers given(4.34 ueV, 0.236neV).How could their kinetic energies be different if they are absorbing the same amount of energy?

Mathematically equating the de Broglie wavelength of both gives the relation that momentum of both must be same and their kinetic energies must be in a ratio of 2000:1 same ratio as that of mass.

Why logical and mathematical aspects are different?What mistake I am doing?
 
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  • #2
Hi Dex,

Could you leave the template in place ? (or was this thread moved form another subforum?)
What equations do you have to deal with this exercise ?
There is no case of absorbing energy here: the question is purely about the Broglie wavelength
 
  • #3
This thread is closed. Please use the template provided.
 

1. What is kinetic energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It is a type of energy that depends on the mass and velocity of the object.

2. How is kinetic energy calculated?

The formula for calculating kinetic energy is KE = 1/2 * mass * velocity^2. This means that the kinetic energy of an object increases with its mass and velocity.

3. What is the kinetic energy of a neutron?

The kinetic energy of a neutron depends on its mass and velocity. Since neutrons are subatomic particles, their masses are very small and their velocities are typically very high, resulting in a low but non-zero amount of kinetic energy.

4. What is the kinetic energy of an electron?

Similar to neutrons, the kinetic energy of an electron also depends on its mass and velocity. Electrons have a very small mass and can travel at high speeds, resulting in a non-zero amount of kinetic energy.

5. How does the kinetic energy of neutrons and electrons affect their behavior?

The kinetic energy of neutrons and electrons can determine their behavior in different situations. For example, in a nuclear reactor, neutrons with high kinetic energy are more likely to cause fission reactions, while electrons with high kinetic energy can move between energy levels in an atom, causing it to emit light. In general, higher kinetic energy can result in more energetic and dynamic behavior of particles.

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