Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 39 - Wave Functions and Uncertainty - Exercises and Problems - Page 1177: 45

Answer

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ We are asked to model the nucleus as a one-dimensional box with a size equal to the nucleus's diameter, and then find the minimum speed range of an electron confined in this "box." The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle relates the uncertainty in position ($ \Delta x $) to the uncertainty in momentum ($ \Delta p_x $): $$ \Delta x \Delta p_x \geq \frac{h}{2} $$ Solving for $\Delta p_x$ to find the uncertainty in momentum: $$ \Delta p_x\approx \frac{h}{2 \Delta x} $$ Plug the known; $$ \Delta p_x \approx \frac{(6.63\times 10^{-34})}{2 (10\times 10^{-15})}=\bf 3.315\times 10^{-20}\;\rm kg\cdot m/s $$ Recalling that $p=mv$, so $$v_x=\dfrac{\Delta p_x}{m}=\dfrac{3.315\times 10^{-20}}{(9.11\times 10^{-31})}=\bf 3.64\times 10^{10}\;\rm m/s$$ This means that the range of possible velocities is given by $$-1.82\times 10^{10}{\;\rm m/s}\leq v_x\leq1.82\times 10^{10} \;\rm m/s$$ Therefore, the minimum speed range is from $0$ m/s to $1.82\times 10^{10}$ m/s. $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ The electron's speed in this case exceeds the speed of light, which, if true, would mean that no electrons could exist around the atom.
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