Physics 107 Problem 3.1 O. A.

Pringle
h
Because λ regardless of whether the object is a photon
p
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.

m 0 .c p .c
2 4 2 2
From chapter 1, E
In this problem, both the photon and the particle have the same momemtum p, so p 2c2 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.

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Physics 107 Problem 3.2 O. A. Pringle

6.626 .10 9.11 .10 3 .10
34 31 8
h m0 c

m0
m( v )
1.0 .10
8
2 v
v
1
2
c

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: Relativistic
h h
λ non λ rel
m 0 .v m( v ) .v

λ non = 7.273 .10 λ rel = 6.857 .10

12 12

λ non λ rel
Percent error P P .100
λ rel

P = 6.066
Because a 6% error is introduced by the nonrelativistic calculation, we need to use
the relativistic result.

v 2.0 .10
8
Part b.
Because the velocity is greater than in part a, we clearly need a relativistic calculation.
h
λ
m( v ) .v

λ = 2.711 .10
12

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1
 Physics 107 Problem 3.3 O. A. Pringle
6.63 .10 1 .10
34 6
h m one milligram is 10^-3 grams, or 10^-6 kg
v 20
h
λ
m .v

λ = 3.315 .10
29
meters
For comparison, 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.
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Physics 107 Problem 3.4 O. A. Pringle

First let's see if a relativistic calculation is necessary.
Begin by converting the 40 keV electron energy to joules:
40 .10 .1.60 .10 9.11 .10
3 19 31
KE this is relativistically correct m0
1. . 2
KE mv
2

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

v cl
m0 relativistic velocity

v cl = 1.185 .10
8
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,

40 .10 0.511 .10 E = 5.51 .10

3 6 5
E eV
E .1.60 .10 E = 8.816 .10
19 14
E conversion factor to joules joules
We can use equation 1.22 to calculate the velocity

m 0 .c
2
3 .10 6.63 .10
8 34
c h
E
2
v
1
2
c

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

m0
m 0 .c
2 4
m( v )
c. 1 v = 1.103 .10
8
v
2 2
E v
1
2
c
h
λ
m( v ) .v

λ = 6.139 .10
12

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

2
 Physics 107 Problem 3.5 O. A. Pringle
6.63 .10 9.11 .10 3 .10 100 .10 .1.60 .10
34 31 8 3 19
h m0 c KE
Nonrelativistic: Relativistic

p 2 .m 0 .KE 1. 2 2 2 2
p rel KE m 0 .c m 0 .c
c

p = 1.707 .10 p rel = 1.789 .10

22 22

h h
λ non λ rel
p p rel

λ non = 3.883 .10 λ rel = 3.706 .10

12 12

Percent error P λ non λ rel

Because a 4.8% error is introduced by the
P .100
P = 4.8 nonrelativistic calculation, we probably need to use
λ rel the relativistic result.
=================================================================================

Physics 107 Problem 3.6 O. A. Pringle

Since the rest mass of the proton is 938 MeV/c^2, the calculation may be made nonrelativistically.
6.63 .10 1.672 .10
34 27
h m
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 mv
2
for v. Or we could use
2
p h h
KE and λ
2 .m p
2 .m .KE
I will use the latter equation. I need to keep my units straight; otherwise, the problem is simple.

1 .10 .1.60 .10

6 19
KE This converts the kinetic energy to joules
h
λ
2 .m .KE

λ = 2.866 .10 2.863 .10

14 5
meters, or nanometers
h
Note that v
λ .m

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

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

3
 Physics 107 Problem O. A. Pringle
3.7
1.60 .10 conversion factor between eV and joules
19
e
6.63 .10
34
h
1.675 .10
27
m neutron

h
λ
m neutron .v
h
v( λ )
λ .m neutron

v 0.282 .10 = 1.404 .10

9 3
This is in units of m/s; a relativistic calculation is not needed.

1. 2 1
KE( λ ) m neutron .v( λ ) . The factor 1/e converts joules to eV.
2 e

KE 0.282 .10
9
= 0.01031
=================================================================================

Physics 107 Problem 3.8 O. A. Pringle

The gamma ray is a photon, so we calculate its de Broglie wavelength as follows:
1.60 .10
19
e conversion factor between eV and joules
6.63 .10 3 .10
34 8
h c
100 .10 100 keV gamma ray energy
3
E
h .c
E
λ
h .c
λ The e converts energy to MKS units.
E .e

λ = 1.243 .10
11
Ask yourself, does this make sense? On page 51, figure 2.2 shows gamma
rays as having wavelengths of 10^-11 meters and smaller, so this number
does make sense.

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.

h h 1.
m e .v
2
λ so v and KE
m e .v m e .λ 2

9.11 .10
31
me

h
v = 5.854 .10
7
v need to consider if relativity is important here
m e .λ
2
v This could be considered relativistic; we will consider the
1. = 0.038
m e .v
2
KE 2 need for a relativistic calculation below.
2 c

KE = 1.561 .10
15
joules

4
 KE
KE ev = 9.757 .10
3
KE ev electron volts
e
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.
KE ev
= 0.019 about 1.9%
.511 .10
6

2
v This would be 1 if relativity were completely
Also, 1 = 0.981 negligible.
2
c

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. The relativistic calculation is a little more
involved. I will take the easy way out here and say that if Beiser claims we can neglect relativity for an
electron with twice the present velocity (see problem 2 part a), then we can neglect relativity here. If you
want to see how to do the relativistic calculation, see my solution to problem 2.

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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.
6.63 .10 550 .10 e 1.60 .10
34 9 19
h λ
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.
9.11 .10
31
me
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.
1. Mathcad is happy because it knows later on, if I want to use this, I'll
m e .v
2
KE( v )
2 give it some values for v.
h
v
m e .λ

KE( v ) I am taking more steps than really necessary, but this will define
KE eV( v )
e another KE function, with units of eV.
This is a really puny energy, about 5 micro-eV. No sense
KE eV( v ) = 4.985 .10
6
bothering with relativity here.
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5
 Physics 107 Problem 3.13 O. A. Pringle
Electron Proton
velocity=v velocity=v
h h
λ electron λ proton
m electron .v m proton .v

λ electron > λ proton

because m electron < m proton

electron: proton:
v group = v group velocities are same v group = v

electron: proton:
2 2
c c
vp phase velocities are same vp
v v

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Physics 107 Problem 3.14 O. A. Pringle

Skip this problem. I will not give test or quiz problems on it.

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Physics 107 Problem 3.18 O. A. Pringle

This problem is trivial
v 0.900 .c
The group velocity is just the electron speed:
vg 0.900 .c
The phase velocity is calculated from
2
c
vp
v
2
c
vp
0.900 .c

vp 1.111 .c

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6
 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
2
K
1
m 0 .c
2

0.511 .10
6
3 .10
8
Plug in: c m0 if I express rest mass in keV/c^2, i can plug in K in kev
2
c
500 .10
3
K

1
v c. 1
2
K
1
m 0 .c
2

v
v = 2.589 .10
8
or = 0.863
c

Phase velocity:
2
c
v p = 3.477 .10 vp
8
vp
v = 1.159
c
=================================================================================

Physics 107 Problem 3.27 O. A. Pringle

Set a range on n: n 1 .. 5

n .h
2 2
Energy equation: En this energy is in Joules
8 .m . L
2

n .h .6.242 .10 .10

2 2 18 6
En this energy is in eV
8 . m .L
2

Note the difference between the

The triple equals sign, obtained by typing the ~
h 6.626 .10
34
subscript n which is just a name
key, globally defines these parameters, so I can
(type in E.n to get this) and the
m 1.675 .10
27 enter them AFTER the definition of En and get
subscript n which takes on a range
14 rid of the "undefined" error message.
of values (type E[n to get it). L 10

h .6.242 .10 .10

2 18 6
A numerical answer: A
8 . m .L
2

A = 2.045

7
 2.045 .n
2
En in MeV
Mev 1
The neutron's minimum energy is E1 = 2.051 MeV
The minimum energy is E1 = 2.051 Mev That's a lot of energy; for example, it's a significant fraction
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

En
of "sl" to get this graph.

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

Physics 107 Problem 3.28 O. A. Pringle

n .h
2 2
(a) A particle in a box satisfies
E( n )
8 . m .L
2
2
h In part b, we will plug in
We are given that E=1 eV for n=1. We don't know m or L, 1 eV
the electron mass and
8 .m .L
2
but we don't need to know them, because we do know that
solve this for L.
The energy in eV is then just
2
E( n ) n
Now get the answers:
E( 2 ) = 4 eV
E( 3 ) = 9 eV eV 1
2
h
1 .e 6.63 .10 1.60 .10
34 19
(b) Solve for L (note I am converting eV-->J h e
8 .m .L
2

h
L 9.11 .10 = 6.14 .10
31 10
L( m )
8 . m .e

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Physics 107 Problem 3.29 O. A. Pringle

6.63 .10 1.6 .10 1.673 .10 400 .10 .e
34 19 27 3
h n 2 e mp E2

n .h
2 2
Solve En for L:
8 .m p .L
2

n .h
2 2
L
L = 4.531 .10
14
8 .m p .E 2
=================================================================================

8
 Physics 107 Problem 3.30 O. A. Pringle
Particle wavelength and momentum are related by p=h/λ. 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., λ=2L. This corresponds to the SMALLEST possible momentum; i.e.,
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
h
p0
2 .L
2
p0
E0
2 .m

2
h
E0
8 .m .L
2

n .h
2 2
E0 with n=1.
8 .m .L
2

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 δx is essentially infinite, so that δp is essentially zero, and
there is no "measurable" zero point energy.
=================================================================================

9
 Physics 107 Problem 3.32 O. A. Pringle
Use δxδp>=h/4π. Let's just calculate the minimum δv, so use the equality sign.
6.626 .10 9.11 .10 1.672 .10 1 .10
34 31 27 9
h me mp δx
h h
δp e δp p
4 .π .δx 4 .π .δx

δp e = 5.273 .10 δp p = 5.273 .10

26 26

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

I had to fiddle with the zero tolerance above.

δp e δp p
δv e δv p
me mp
δv p = 31.536
δv e = 5.788 .10
4

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., δxδp is minimum.
Then we use the equality sign in equation 3.21.
6.626 .10 9.11 .10 0.1 .10
34 31 9
h me δx
h
δp This is momentum uncertainty in mks units. I had to
δp = 5.273 .10
25
4 .π .δx fiddle with zero tolerance to see anything.
The electron's momentum can be calculated from its energy.
1 .10 .1.602 .10
3 19
K

p 2 .m e .K

p = 1.708 .10
23

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

δp
P 100 . P = 3.086 About 3 percent.
p
Questionto think about: do we have to worry about relativity here?
p
ve
v e = 1.875 .10 3 .10
7 8
me c

2
ve
correction 1 correction = 0.998
2
c
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.
=================================================================================

10
 Physics 107 Problem 3.34 O. A. Pringle
(a) Use δtδE=h/4π.
6.626 .10 9.11 .10
34 31
h me ve 10

m e .v e
2
This equation for δE specifies the 0.1
Ee δE E e .0.001
2 percent uncertainty.
h
δt = 1.15759 .seconds
3
δt 10
.
4 π .δE
During this time, the electron travels
d v e .δt
d = 0.012 meters
(b) Do the same for the insect.
1 .10
3
vi 10 mi
m i .v i
2
Ei δE E i .0.001
2
h
δt
4 .π .δE

δt = 1.05456 .10
30
seconds
d v i .δt

d = 1.055 .10
29
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 δxδp>=h/4π. Use the equality sign to find the maximum accuracy.
6.626 .10 1.672 .10
34 27
h mp
1 .10 .1.602 .10
3 19
δE

δp 2 .m p .δE

h
δx
4 .π .δp

δx = 7.204 .10
14
m

δx .10
9
δx convert to nm
δx = 7.204 .10
5
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+/-δp, so the position would be determined to an accuracy of twice δp.
=================================================================================
11
 Physics 107 Problem 3.36 O. A. Pringle
Part a solution:
2 .L
λn equation 3.17
n

h
λn
pn

Solve for p.n:

2 .L h
n pn

n .h
pn
2 .L
Part b solution:
We are told that the minimum change in momentum that a measurement can cause corresponds in
magnitude to
δp minimum = p n 1
pn

(n 1 ) .h n .h
δp minimum =
2 .L 2 .L
h
δp minimum =
2 .L
Letting δx=L gives
h
δp minimum =
2 .δx

h
δpδx minimum = which is also greater than hbar/2
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.
7.00 .10
19
δt
h
δE
.
( 4 π .δt )

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.
δE
δm
2
c

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

12
To compare the mass uncertainty to the rest mass, convert to units ov MeV/c^2.
2
c
δm δm .
e

δm = 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?
549 .10
6
The mass is m
δm
= 8.575 .10
7
A very small fractional uncertainty.
m
Note that the particle's mass was a "red herring." You didn't need to use it to solve the problem.

13