- #1
umagongdi
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Homework Statement
Hi all i am doing past exam paper questions and this question i am not sure about, i check notes and books but can't find relevant information
Q1i.) If we try to confine an electron in a small region of size a, then this electron has to have a non-sero average kinetic energy, K in order to satisy Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Find an expression for the minimal kinetic energy K(a) as function of a.
Q1ii.) In a hydrogen atom the attraction between the electon and the nucleus, effectively confine the electron in a region of size a. The total energy of this electron is the sum of its potential energy U(a)=-e²/(4πε0a) and its kinetic energy K(a), as computed in part (ii). Find an estimate of the size of the hydrogen atom.
Homework Equations
Heisenberg uncertainty principle is
ΔxΔp = h'/2
h' = Planck's constant over 2π = h/2π
The Attempt at a Solution
I have tried the question is this right?
Using Heisenberg uncertainty principle rearranged, p=h'/(2Δx) and replaced in kinetic energy equation, K=p²/2m and i got
K=(h')²/(8m(Δx)²), and in terms of a
K(a)=(h')²/(8ma²)
For part ii, is the total energy
E=-e²/(4πε0a) + h'/(8ma²) ?
I don't understand how to estimate the size of the hydrogen atom
thanks for helping