Finding transmission coefficient T without particle mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter tarkin
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Potential
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
Sign up Log in
4 replies · 2K views
tarkin
Messages
13
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Please see attached image. I'm trying to do part (d), then (e) afterwards.

For (d) I can sketch the graph okay, just trying to calculate T now.

Homework Equations


T= 4k1k2/(k1+k2)2

k = ((2m/ћ)2(E-V))½

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried substituting in k into the equation for T. But k depends on the mass of the particle, which isn't given in the question. So what can I do here? I guess one option is just finding the point on the graph, but that's not really a calculation.
 

Attachments

  • potentialstep.jpg
    potentialstep.jpg
    48.6 KB · Views: 481

Discussion

Physics news on Phys.org
tarkin said:
I tried substituting in k into the equation for T. But k depends on the mass of the particle, which isn't given in the question. So what can I do here?
Look carefully at the equation for T after having substituted the equation for k.
 
DrClaude said:
Look carefully at the equation for T after having substituted the equation for k.

When I subbed in k I hoped the m's would cancel but I couldn't get them to. Is it just some mistake I'm making - should they indeed cancel?

Thanks
 
tarkin said:
When I subbed in k I hoped the m's would cancel but I couldn't get them to. Is it just some mistake I'm making - should they indeed cancel?
It should. You have k's squared both at the numerator and the denominator.
 
DrClaude said:
It should. You have k's squared both at the numerator and the denominator.

Okay, I'll take another look at my working out. Thanks a million!