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}}}
 
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.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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