- #1
JoshuaR
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Homework Statement
Consider an electron confined in a region of nuclear dimensions (about 5fm). Find its minimum possible KE in MeV. Treat as one-dimensional. Use relativistic relation between E and p.
Homework Equations
KE = p2/(2a) = [tex]\hbar[/tex]2/(2ma2)
p = h/[tex]\lambda[/tex]
E = hf
E2 = (mc2)2 + (pc)2
E = mc2 + KE
The Attempt at a Solution
First attempt: [tex]KE = p^2/(2m) = (pc)^2/(2mc^2) = (E^2-(mc^2)^2)/(2mc^2)
Thus, K2mc^2=E^2-(mc^2)^2 = K^2 + 2Kmc^2 + (mc^2)^2. [/tex]However, here everything cancels out and I get:
K^2 = 0, which can't be right. (Answer in book is 40 MeV)
Another approach: [tex]E^2=(pc)^2+(mc^2)^2=(mc^2)^2 + 2mc^2K + K^2 [/tex](setting the invariant energy squared equal to the energy squared where E = K + mc^2
This leads to a quadratic equation: [tex]K = -2mc^2 \pm[/tex] [tex]\sqrt{(mc^2)^2+(pc)^2}[/tex]
OR
K = -2mc^2 [tex]\pm[/tex] [tex]\sqrt{(mc^2)^2+(hc/\lambda)^2}[/tex]
When I plug in those values, I don't get 40 MeV. I feel like I'm missing something very simple and fundamental. This shouldn't be a hard problem. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.