How Should You Round Photon Energy Changes in Physics Calculations?

  • Thread starter Thread starter cupcake
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physic
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the change in energy of a photon after scattering and the importance of rounding in physics calculations. The correct wavelength of the scattered light was determined to be 4.43×10^−2 nm, leading to energy calculations of 28310.50 eV and 27990.97 eV. Participants emphasize that since the initial wavelength is given to three significant figures, the energy values should also be reported with the same precision. There is confusion regarding how to round the final energy change, with suggestions that it should be reported to the nearest eV based on significant figures. Accurate rounding is crucial to avoid losing points in assignments.
cupcake
Messages
73
Reaction score
0
please help me,, Mastering physic.. rounding number :(

A photon of wavelength 4.38×10^−2 nm strikes a free electron and is scattered at an angle of 38.0 degree from its original direction.

Find the wavelength of the scattered light.
and my answer is this 4.43×10−2 nm (correct answer)

Find the change in energy of the photon.

E= hc / lambda1 = 1.24*10^-6 / (0.0438*10^-9) = 28310.50 eV

E= hc/ lambda2 = 1.24*10^-6 / (0.0443*10^-9) = 27990.97

and the change in energy is 319.529..
i have tried to enter 319 or 320 but mastering physics gave me

"Not quite. Check through your calculations; you may have made a rounding error or used the wrong number of significant figures."

please help to round this... TT

***hate mastering physics...
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Since the wavelength was given to 3 significant figures, the energies are each known to 3 significant figures.

This makes the two energies accurate to the nearest ___ eV.

Does that help?
 


Redbelly98 said:
This makes the two energies accurate to the nearest ___ eV.

Does that help?

what did you mean by the nearest ____ eV??

so, what number should i enter?
320 and 319 don't help much...

i already lost some points because of it.. :(
 


cupcake said:
E= hc/ lambda2 = 1.24*10^-6 / (0.0443*10^-9) = 27990.97

If I understand correctly you have used rounded down 443 to calculate energy here - you should use whatever came out from the calculator. Use full precision when calculating, rounded down values are for reporting only.
 


cupcake said:
what did you mean by the nearest ____ eV??
I mean, is it accurate to the nearest 1eV, 10eV, 100eV, or what? Remember, we're using 3 significant figures here.
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
I was thinking using 2 purple mattress samples, and taping them together, I do want other ideas though, the main guidelines are; Must have a volume LESS than 1600 cubic centimeters, and CAN'T exceed 25 cm in ANY direction. Must be LESS than 1 kg. NO parachutes. NO glue or Tape can touch the egg. MUST be able to take egg out in less than 1 minute. Grade A large eggs will be used.
Back
Top