SUMMARY
The velocity of a proton with an energy of 0.12 keV is calculated to be approximately 1.5 x 105 m/s. The conversion from electron volts (eV) to joules (J) is crucial, where 0.12 keV equals 120 eV, which translates to 1.92 x 10-17 J when multiplied by the charge of an electron (1.6 x 10-19 C). The formula used for calculating velocity is derived from kinetic energy, specifically v = sqrt(2E/m), where E is energy and m is mass. Dimensional analysis is recommended for accurate unit conversions.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of kinetic energy equations in physics
- Familiarity with electron volts (eV) and their conversion to joules (J)
- Basic knowledge of dimensional analysis
- Proton mass (1.7 x 10-27 kg)
NEXT STEPS
- Learn about the principles of dimensional analysis in physics
- Study the relationship between energy, mass, and velocity in classical mechanics
- Explore the concept of electron volts and their applications in particle physics
- Investigate the effects of relativistic speeds on particle energy calculations
USEFUL FOR
Students studying A-Level physics, particularly those focusing on particle dynamics and energy conversions, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to kinetic energy and unit conversions.