What is the Wavelength of Neutrons at Room Temperature?

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The discussion centers on calculating the wavelength of neutrons at room temperature, which have a kinetic energy of approximately 0.02 eV. The user correctly identifies that 1 eV equals 1.602 x 10^-19 Joules and expresses Planck's constant in terms of eV. They seek clarification on using the kinetic energy in the formula p = h/λ, while also considering the De Broglie hypothesis. The conversation notes that the relativistic formula is unnecessary for neutrons, emphasizing that the wavelength can be derived using λ = h/√(2mE). The thread highlights the importance of understanding energy units and the appropriate equations for particles with mass.
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Hey, this is my first week in Quantum class, going pretty well so far.

My first questoin is:

1.) What is an eV a Unit of...give it in terms of MKS

Well my answer is that it is a unit of energy, and for MKS...

1 Electron*Volt = Joules

1 electron has a charge of 1.602*10^-19 C

1 Volt = 1 J/C

Therefore

1.602*10^-19*1 means that

1 eV = 1.602*10^-19 J

Is this correct reasoning?

My next Question

Neutrons at room Temperature have a kinetic energy of around .02 eV. What is their wavelength?

KE = 0.2 eV

0.2 eV = q*V

p = h/lambda

1 eV = 1.609*10^-19 J

h = 6.626*10^-34 J*s * 1 ev/(1.609*10^-19 J)

Therefore I get Planck's constant in terms of eV

h = 4.136*10^-15 eV*s

But how do I use the 0.2 eV in terms of the p = h/lambda?

Thanks for any assistance!
 
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For the second part i can think of no other way but to get the velocity of the neutrons from the kinetic energy using

K = m_{n}c^2(\gamma -1) and then use the De Broglie Hypothesis about wavelength

\lambda = \frac{h}{mv}

and \gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}
 
E = \frac{ \hbar c} {\lambda}
 
Thanks! But I'm looking at my notes, and it says that the equation applies only to massless particles?
 
E^{2} = p^{2}c^{2} + m_{0} ^{2} c^{4} is the expression for particles with mass.
 
1.NEUTRONS HAVE REST MASS.

2.U don't need the relativistic formula.
\lambda=\frac{h}{p}=\frac{h}{\sqrt{2mE}}

Daniel.
 
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