Chapter 39: Problem 2
For crystal diffraction experiments (discussed in Section 39.1), wavelengths on the order of 0.20 nm are often appropriate. Find the energy in electron volts for a particle with this wavelength if the particle is (a) a photon; (b) an electron; (c) an alpha particle (\(m\) = 6.64 \(\times\) 10\(^{-27}\) kg).
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Determine the energy of a photon
Calculate the momentum of the electron and alpha particle
Compute the energy of the electron
Calculate the energy of the alpha particle
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Photon Energy
- A shorter wavelength results in higher energy.
- In our case, with a wavelength of 0.20 nm, the calculated energy is approximately 6203 eV after conversion from Joules to electron volts.
Electron Energy
- For a wavelength of 0.20 nm, the momentum was found to be approximately \( 3.313 \times 10^{-24} \) kg·m/s.
- The mass of an electron is \( 9.11 \times 10^{-31} \) kg.
- Using the formula, the electron energy is about 18,800 eV.
Alpha Particle Energy
- With a wavelength of 0.20 nm, the momentum is \( 3.313 \times 10^{-24} \) kg·m/s.
- Calculate the energy using the alpha particle’s mass, resulting in approximately 515 eV.
Wavelength
- This property is essential in techniques like crystal diffraction, where specific wavelengths provide information about crystal structures.
- For example, the 0.20 nm wavelength used in this exercise is typical for X-ray crystallography studies.
- Accurately knowing the wavelength can help determine material properties and lead to advances in fields like chemistry and biology.
Planck's Constant
- In equations like \( E = \frac{hc}{\lambda} \), Planck's constant helps relate energy and wavelength.
- Its role is pivotal in understanding phenomena at the atomic and subatomic levels, indicating the quantization of energy.
- Planck's constant is foundational in calculations involving photon energy and wave-particle duality.