Useful constants, etc.

:
34

h := 6.63 10

melectron := 9.11 10

31

c := 3 10

======================================================================================
Physics 107

Problem 3.1

Compare the linear momenta, total energy, and kinetic energy of a photon and a particle that have the same
wavelength.
Because

:=

regardless of whether the object is a photon

or a particle, if the wavelengths are the same, then the momenta p are the same.
Problem 3.11 shows that the particle's total energy is nearly the same as the energy of a photon of the
same wavelength PROVIDED THE PARTICLE'S TOTAL ENERGY GREATLY EXCEEDS ITS REST
ENERGY; i.e. when the particle's kinetic energy is very large; it is moving very fast.
2 4

From chapter 1, E :=

2 2

m0 c + p c

In this problem, both the photon and the particle have the same momemtum p, so p2c2 is the same for
both. Because some of the particle's total energy is tied up in its rest energy m02c4, and none of the
photon's total energy is tied up in rest energy, the particle must have less kinetic energy than the
photon has total energy.
======================================================================================
Physics 107

Problem 3.2

Find the de Broglie wavelength of (a) an electron whose speed is 1x10 8 m/s and (b) an electron whose speed is
2x108 m/s.
( v) :=

vpart1 := 1.0 10

v
c

vpart2 := 2.0 10

Part a. Do we need to worry about relativity? Let's do this non-relativistically and relativistically, and see if there
is a significant difference
Nonrelativistic:
non( m , v) :=

Relativistic
h

rel( m , v) :=

m v
12

non( melectron , vpart1) = 7.278 10

h
( v) m v
12

rel( melectron , vpart1 ) = 6.861 10

wavelength units are meters

Percent error P:
P = 6.066

P :=

non( melectron , vpart1) rel( melectron , vpart1)

rel( melectron , vpart1 )

100

Because a 6% error is introduced by the nonrelativistic calculation, we need to use

the relativistic result.

Part b. Because the velocity is greater than in part a, we clearly need a relativistic calculation.
12

rel( melectron , vpart2 ) = 2.712 10

======================================================================================
Physics 107

Problem 3.3

Find the de Broglie wavelength of a 1 mg grain of sand blown by the wind at 20 m/s.
This is an extremely lightweight piece of matter. Maybe its wavelength will be observable??
sand( m , v) :=

sand 1 10

h
m v

29

, 20 = 3.315 10

(using the fact that one milligram is 10-3 grams, or 10-6 kg)

This wavelength is in meters. This is many orders of magnitude smaller than a typical size of a
nucleus. We'll never "see" that a grain of sand has wave properties.
======================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.4

Find the de Broglie wavelength of the 40 keV electrons used in a certain electron microscope.
First let's see if a relativistic calculation is necessary.
Begin by converting the 40 keV electron energy to joules:
3

KE := 40 10 1.60 10
KE :=
vcl :=

1
2

19

m v

2 KE

if this gives a v near c, then we need to go back and calculate a

relativistic velocity

melectron
8

vcl = 1.185 10

we need to use relativistic corrections for this magnitude of speed

The electron's total energy is its 40-keV kinetic energy plus its 0.511 MeV rest energy. In units of eV,
3

E := 40 10 + 0.511 10
19

E := E 1.60 10

E = 5.51 10 eV

convert to joules

E = 8.816 10

14

joules

We can use equation 1.22 to calculate the velocity

E :=

melectron c

v
c

Solving (pen-and-paper) gives this equation:

melectron2 c4

2
E

v := c 1

v = 1.103 10

:=

1
2

= 6.139 10

melectron v

12

meters

======================================================================================
Physics 107

Problem 3.5

By what percentage will a nonrelativistic calculation of the de Broglie wavelength of a 100 keV electron be in
error.
19

KE := 100 10 1.60 10
Nonrelativistic:
p :=

Relativistic:

2 melectron KE

prel :=

22

p = 1.707 10
non :=

KE + melectron c2 melectron c2

prel = 1.789 10

rel :=

p
12

Percent :=

22

h
p rel
12

non = 3.883 10
Percent error:

rel = 3.706 10
non rel

100

rel

Percent = 4.8

Because a 4.8% error is introduced by the

nonrelativistic calculation, we probably need to
use the relativistic result.

======================================================================================
Physics 107

Problem 3.6

Find the de Broglie wavelength of a 1 MeV proton. Is a relativistic calculation needed?

Because the proton rest mass of 938 MeV/c 2 is much greater (by a factor of nearly 1000) than the energy
of 1 MeV, the calculation may be done nonrelativistically.
34

h := 6.63 10

27

mproton := 1.672 10

We need the proton's velocity. The 1-MeV refers to the proton's kinetic energy. There are
several approaches. We could solve
1
2
KE := mproton v
2
for v. Or we could use
KE :=

2 mproton

:=

and

h
p

:=

h
2 mproton KE

I will use the latter equation. I need to keep my units straight; otherwise, the problem is simple.
19

KE := 1 10 1.60 10

This converts the kinetic energy to joules

:=

2 mproton KE

= 2.866 10

14

nanometers

v :=

Note that

2.863 10

meters, or

mproton

7
v = 1.383 10 so this is a fairly fast-moving, but clearly nonrelativistic, proton

======================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.7

The atomic spacing in NaCl is 0.282 nm. Find the kinetic energy (in eV) of a neutron with a de Broglie
wavelength of 0.282 nm. Is a relativistic calculation needed?
19

eV := 1.6 10
:=

mneutron := 1.675 10

27

(mneutron v)

v( ) :=

( mneutron)

v 0.282 10
KE( ) :=

conversion factor between eV and joules

1
2

) = 1.404 103

mneutron v( )

KE 0.282 10

This is in units of m/s, so a relativistic calculation is not needed.

2 1

) = 0.01031

The factor 1/eV converts joules to eV.

eV
The answer is in eV; we would probably write it as 10.3 meV.

======================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.8

Find the kinetic energy of an electron whose de Broglie wavelength is the same as that of a 100 keV x-ray.
There's a long, tedious way to do this problem, and a quick and easy way. I'll do the long way first.
First calculate the de Broglie wavelength of the x-ray (and therefore the electron):
E := 100 10
E :=
:=

this is the 100 keV x-ray energy in eV units

h c

h c

The eV converts energy to SI units.

E eV

= 1.243 10

11

So far, we have found the wavelength of the gamma ray, which we are told is the electron's
wavelength. Now we use this wavelength to calculate the electron's momentum or velocity, and then
energy.
:=

v :=

so

melectron v
h

KE :=

v2

= 0.038
c2

melectron v

15

KE = 1.561 10
KE

KEev :=

h
melectron

v = 5.854 10

melectron
1

v :=

joules

KE :=

1
2

melectron v

Is relativity important at this speed?

This could be considered relativistic; we will consider the

need for a relativistic calculation below.

This is the nonrelativistic KE.

KEev = 9.757 10

eV

and

electron volts

The electron's rest mass is 0.511 MeV. If our calculated kinetic energy is much less than the rest mass, our
neglect of relativity was justified.
KEev
6

= 0.019

about 1.9%

.511 10

Also,

v
c

= 0.981

This would be 1 if relativity were completely

negligible.

In other words, neglecting relativity has introduced an error of just under 2%. Whether or not relativity
can be neglected depends on the precision of the measurement.
It happens that for this problem, the relativistic calculation is easy if you do it "smart."
The "smart" solution.
E = mc2 + KE

KE = E - mc2 = (E2)1/2 - mc2 = ( p2c2 + (mc2)2 )1/2 - mc2.

The electron and the x-ray photon have the same wavelength, and therefore the same momentum p. Thus
(pc)photon = (pc)electron. But the photon is "pure energy" so Ephoton = (pc)photon = 100 keV = (pc)electron.

KE :=

( p c) + melectron c
2

2
melectron c

If you express the electron mass in "keV energy units," you get

KE :=

( 100) + ( 511) 511

KE = 9.693

keV

This correct relativistic KE is a bit smaller than the classical value of 9.76 keV obtained above.

=================================================================================
Physics 107

Problem 3.9

O. A. Pringle

This may sound complicated, but it is just asking you to calculate the kinetic energy in eV of an
electron having a de Broglie wavelength of 550 nm.
The standard approach is to neglect relativity, calculate the energy, and see if it looks large enough to
worry about relativity.
34

h := 6.63 10

31

19

:= 550 10
e := 1.60 10
The "e" is the eV to joules conversion factor; this factor actually
converts either way, you just need to be careful whether it goes in the
numerator or the denominator.

me := 9.11 10

I'll do this slightly more "elegantly" and write KE as a function of v, so that I can calculate v later. This
is a more adaptable approach than, say, in solutions to preceding problems.
KE( v) :=
v :=

1
2

me v

Mathcad is happy because it knows later on, if I want to use this, I'll
give it some values for v.

h
me

KEeV( v) :=

KE( v)
e

I am taking more steps than really necessary, but this will define
another KE function, with units of eV.

This
6 is a really puny energy, about 5 micro-eV. No
KEeV( v) = 4.985 10 sense bothering with relativity here.

=================================================================================

Physics 107
Electron

O. A. Pringle
Proton

velocity=v
electron :

Problem 3.13

velocity=v
h

proton :

 electron :=

proton :=

melectron v

mproton v

electron > proton

because melectron < mproton
electron:
vgroup =

group velocities are same

electron:
vp :=

proton:
vgroup =

proton:

phase velocities are same

vp :=

=================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.14

O. A. Pringle

Skip this problem. I will not give test or quiz problems on it.
=================================================================================
Physics 107
This problem is trivial

Problem 3.18

O. A. Pringle

v := 0.900 c
The group velocity is just the electron speed:
vg := 0.900 c
The phase velocity is calculated from
vp :=
vp :=

v
c

0.900 c

vp := 1.111 c
=================================================================================

Physics 107
Problem 3.19
O. A. Pringle
To get the group velocity, we need to calculate the electron particle velocity. Because 500 keV is
large compared with the electron's rest energy (actually, about the same), we need to use relativity.
Then from the electron's velocity, we will easily get the phase velocity.

From chapter 1, we know that

1

v := c 1

1 + K

2
m0 c

Plug in:

c := 3 10

0.511 10

m0 :=

K := 500 10

if I express rest mass in keV/c^2, i can plug in K in kev

v := c 1

1 + K

2
m0 c

8
v = 2.589 10 or

= 0.863

Phase velocity:
vp :=

vp = 3.477 10

vp
c

= 1.159

=================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.27

Set a range on n:

n := 1 .. 5

Energy equation:

E :=

O. A. Pringle

2 2

n h

8 m L

this energy is in Joules

2

2 2

E :=
n

18

n h 6.242 10 10
8 m L

this energy is in eV

Note the difference between the

subscript n which is just a name
(type in E.n to get this) and the
subscript n which takes on a range
of values (type E[n to get it).

h 6.626 10

key, globally defines these parameters, so I can

27 enter them AFTER the definition of En and get

m 1.675 10
L 10
A :=

rid of the "undefined" error message.

14

A numerical answer:

34 The triple equals sign, obtained by typing the ~

18

h 6.242 10 10
8 m L

A = 2.045

En := 2.045 n
The neutron's minimum energy is

in MeV

Mev 1

E = 2.048 MeV
1

The minimum energy is E = 2.048 Mev That's a lot of energy; for example, it's a significant fraction
1
of the energy a neutron gets in a fusion reaction.
8

of the energy a neutron gets in a fusion reaction.

Just for kicks, make a plot:

Type E[n@n, then choose a graph

type of "sl" to get this graph.

En

=================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.28

O. A. Pringle

2 2

(a) A particle in a box satisfies

E( n ) :=

n h

8 m L

We are given that E=1 eV for n=1. We don't know m or L,

but we don't need to know them, because we do know that

In part b, we will plug in

:= 1 eV the electron mass and
2
8 m L
solve this for L.
h

The energy in eV is then just

2

E( n ) := n
Now get the answers:
19
E( 2 ) = 2.5 10 eV
19

E( 3 ) = 5.625 10eVeV
1
(b) Solve

8 m L

L( m) :=

34

:= 1 e for L (note I am converting eV-->J

19

e := 1.60 10

) = 6.14 10 10

31

L 9.11 10

8 m e

h := 6.63 10

=================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.29
34

h := 6.63 10

n := 2

19

e := 1.6 10

O. A. Pringle
27

mp := 1.673 10

E2 := 400 10 e

2 2

Solve

En :=

n h

8 mp L

for L:
2

2 2

L :=

n h

8 mp E2

L = 4.531 10

14

=================================================================================

Physics 107
Problem 3.30
O. A. Pringle
Particle wavelength and momentum are related by p=h/. The LARGEST possible wavelength for a
particle trapped in a box corresponds to exactly one half wavelength of the particle wave spanning the
length of the box; i.e., =2L. This corresponds to the SMALLEST possible momentum; i.e.,
p(minimum)=h/2L.

p(minimum)=h/2L.
We can calculate the minimum energy allowed by the uncertainty principle principle by taking
E(minimum)=p(minimum)^2/2m.
m := 1
L := 1
h := 1
p0 :=
E0 :=

h
2 L
p0

2 m
h

E0 :=

8 m L

2 2

E0 :=

n h

with n=1.
2

8 m L
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle requires that this be the minimum energy. This is exactly
in agreement with our wave function analysis of a particle in a box.
=================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.31

O. A. Pringle

You can read the solution in the back of Beiser.

Beiser's answer makes the underlying assumption that the ideal gas is not confined to any region in
space. As soon as you put an ideal gas molecule into some kind of container, like we often do in
elementary thermodynamics, then the uncertainty principle is applicable.
I suppose that implies that such a gas isn't really "ideal" after all, although in the typical Physics 23
type problem the container is big enough that we never know that the uncertainty principle is there. In
other words, if the container is "big enough" then x is essentially infinite, so that p is essentially zero,
and there is no "measurable" zero point energy.
=================================================================================

Physics 107
Problem 3.32
O. A. Pringle
Use xp>=h/4. Let's just calculate the minimum v, so use the equality sign.
h := 6.626 10

34

31

me := 9.11 10

27

mp := 1.672 10

x := 1 10

10

p e :=

p p :=

4 x
26

4 x
26

p e = 5.273 10

p p = 5.273 10

Both p's are the same, as they ought to be.

I had to fiddle with the zero tolerance above.
pe

ve :=

p p

vp :=

me

mp

vp = 31.536

ve = 5.788 10

The lighter, faster-moving electron has a much

greater uncertainty in its velocity.
=================================================================================

Physics 107
Problem 3.33
O. A. Pringle
Assume that both measurements are made with the greatest possible accuracy; i.e., xp is minimum.
Then we use the equality sign in equation 3.21.
h := 6.626 10

34

31

me := 9.11 10

x := 0.1 10

p :=

25 This is momentum uncertainty in mks units. I had to

p = 5.273 10
4 x
fiddle with zero tolerance to see anything.
The electron's momentum can be calculated from its energy.
3

K := 1 10 1.602 10
p :=

19

2 me K
23

p = 1.708 10

The percentage uncertainty P is P=100*p/p.

P := 100

P = 3.086 About 3 percent.

Questionto think about: do we have to worry about relativity here?

ve :=

ve = 1.875 10

me

c := 3 10

correction :=

ve
c

correction = 0.998

The correction factor when we include relativity is an 0.2 percent effect. Since it only makes sense to
talk about uncertainties and fractional uncertainties to 1 decimal place, the relativistic correction is
not important.
=================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.34

O. A. Pringle

(a) Use tE=h/4.

h := 6.626 10
m v

34

31

me := 9.11 10

ve := 10

11

Ee :=

me ve

This equation for E specifies the 0.1

E := Ee 0.001 percent uncertainty.

t :=

t = 1.15759 seconds
10

4 E
During this time, the electron travels
d := ve t
d = 0.012 meters
(b) Do the same for the insect.
vi := 10
Ei :=

mi := 1 10

mi vi

E := Ei 0.001

2
t :=

h
4 E

t = 1.05456 10

30

seconds

d := vi t
29
d = 1.055 10 meters
We can safely neglect the uncertainty principle when we are talking about macroscopic objects like insects.

=================================================================================

Physics 107

Problem 3.35

O. A. Pringle

Use xp>=h/4. Use the equality sign to find the maximum accuracy.
h := 6.626 10

34

27

mp := 1.672 10

19

E := 1 10 1.602 10
p :=
x :=

2 mp E
h
4 p

x = 7.204 10

14

m
9
x := x 10 convert to nm
5

x = 7.204 10 nm
This is comparable to the size of an atomic nucleus.
The answer in the book comes from the fact that a position determination would be
reported as p+/-p, so the position would be determined to an accuracy of twice p.
=================================================================================
Physics 107
Part a solution:
n :=

2 L

Problem 3.36

equation 3.17

O. A. Pringle

12

n :

equation 3.17
n

n :=

h
pn

Solve for p.n:

2 L
n

:=

pn :=

pn

n h
2 L

Part b solution:
We are told that the minimum change in momentum that a measurement can cause corresponds in
magnitude to
p minimum =
p minimum =
p minimum =
Letting x=L gives
p minimum =
pxminimum =

which is also greater than hbar/2

=================================================================================
Physics 107

Problem 3.38

O. A. Pringle

An unstable elementary particle has a rest mass of 549 MeV/c^2 and a mean lifetime of 7.00*10^-19 s. What is the
uncertainty in its rest mass?
Use the Uncertainty Principle to calculate the uncertainty in the particle's energy.
19

t := 7.00 10
E :=

( 4 t)

The uncertainty in the particle's lifetime means there is an uncertainty in the particle's rest mass and
rest energy. Use E=mc^2 to find the uncertainty in the mass.
m :=

E
c

2
34

m = 8.37 10 This is mass uncertainty in kg. This answer is OK, or you can do it in energy units.

To compare the mass uncertainty to the rest mass, convert to units ov MeV/c^2.

c2

m := m

e
13

m = 470.786 This is mass uncertainty in units of eV/c^2. This answer is equivalent to the above one.
How large is this uncertainty?
6
The mass is
m := 549 10
m
7
A very small fractional uncertainty.
= 8.575 10
m

Note that the particle's mass was a "red herring." You didn't need to use it to solve the problem.

14