Velocity of neutron using uncertainty principle

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the velocity of a neutron within an atomic nucleus using Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. The uncertainty in position is defined as 5 femtometers, leading to the calculation of uncertainty in momentum, which is determined to be approximately 0.105 times the speed of light (c). The participant expresses uncertainty regarding the expectation value of momentum and the rationale behind equating the uncertainty in momentum to the neutron's actual momentum. The solution involves applying de Broglie's relations and the non-relativistic momentum formula.

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  • Understanding of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
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  • Knowledge of non-relativistic momentum equations
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Homework Statement


A neutron in the nucleus of an atom can move in a range which is about five femtometers long. Use Heisenberg's uncertainty principle to calculate what velocities one can expect to measure.

Homework Equations


\sigma_p \sigma_x \geq \frac{\hbar}{2}
p = \hbar k
Probably others as well. I am quite sure this problem is non-relativistic since other problems in the same problem set specify that the particles in those problems are supposed to be moving in non-relativistic speeds.

The Attempt at a Solution


I define the center of the area where the particle can move to be x = 0, and I assume the problem is one-dimensional (it is not specified, and not obvious from the text alone). So, the likelihood of finding the particle in (-\sigma_p,\sigma_p) is 64%. Since I am not given any equation, I say that \sigma_p = 1fm sounds reasonable. Then I get:
\sigma_p \geq \frac{\hbar}{2.0 fm} = 5.27 * 10^{-20} Js/m
\frac{\sigma_p}{m_n} \geq \frac{\hbar}{2.0 fm * m_n} = 0.105c

Now, I am stuck. I do not even know the expectation value of momentum. How am I supposed to get the expectation value of velocity? I probably have to use de Broglie's relations somewhere, but I am not sure where.
 
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As far as I remember from doing a similar problem a while back, all you need to do is say that the uncertainty in position of your neutron is the diameter of your nucleus (5 fm as you said in problem description), and from there you can find the uncertainty in momentum p. Then you have to make an assumption that the uncertainty in momentum of a neutron is equal to the amount of momentum a neutron can have, so then you have that value. Finally you can say that momentum is equal to mv (using the non-relativistic formula) so if you know the mass of the neutron you're all set to find its velocity.
 
So, essentially, my answer multiplied by five is the actual answer. However, why is the assumption that the uncertainty in momentum is the neutrons momentum a sensible assumption?
 

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