Moment of Inertia of dysprosium-160

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SUMMARY

The moment of inertia for the dysprosium-160 nucleus, which contains 160 nucleons, is calculated using the formula for kinetic energy, Kinetic Energy = L2 / 2I, where L2 is the quantized angular momentum. When the nucleus transitions from the l = 2 state to the l = 0 state, it emits an 87 keV photon. The correct change in kinetic energy should be calculated as Change in KE = 6 * h_bar2 / 2I, leading to a moment of inertia value around 2 x 10^-54 kg·m². The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly accounting for energy transitions and verifying units in calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics, specifically angular momentum quantization
  • Familiarity with the concept of moment of inertia in rotational dynamics
  • Knowledge of photon energy calculations in nuclear transitions
  • Proficiency in using Planck's constant and its reduced form (h_bar)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of angular momentum quantization in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the relationship between kinetic energy and moment of inertia in rotating systems
  • Investigate photon emission processes in nuclear transitions
  • Review the application of Planck's constant in energy calculations
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Students and researchers in nuclear physics, particularly those studying angular momentum and energy transitions in atomic nuclei, as well as educators teaching quantum mechanics concepts.

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Homework Statement


The nucleus dysprosium-160 (containing 160 nucleons) acts like a spinning object with quantized angular momentum, L2 = l(l + 1) * h_bar2, and for this nucleus it turns out that l must be an even integer (0, 2, 4...). When a Dy-160 nucleus drops from the l = 2 state to the l = 0 state, it emits an 87 keV photon (87 ✕ 103 eV).

h_bar = reduced Planck's constant

Homework Equations



Kinetic Energy = L2 / 2I , where I is the moment of inertia

The Attempt at a Solution



Change in KE = Change in L2 / 2I = 5h_bar2 / 2I
Substituting and solving for I gave me around 2*10-54 which apparently isn't the answer.
Am I using the wrong formula?

edit: rookie mistake, Change in KE = 6 * h_bar... not 5.
 
Last edited:
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Show your reasoning. Where does the energy come from? Where does it go?
How did you account for the energy of the photon, for instance?
Check other sources of mistakes - like the value of I and the units.
 

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