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If an electron is confined within a nucleus whose diameter is 10-14m, its minimum kinetic energy will be
(a) 51 MeV
(b) 56 MeV
(c) 61 MeV
(d) 66 MeV?
Most Upvoted Answer
If an electron is confined within a nucleus whose diameter is 10-14m, ...
Understanding the Problem
When an electron is confined to a small region, like a nucleus, its kinetic energy can be estimated using the principles of quantum mechanics. The uncertainty principle suggests that confining a particle leads to an increase in its momentum, and thus its kinetic energy.
Applying the Uncertainty Principle
The uncertainty principle states:
- Δx * Δp ≥ ħ/2
Where:
- Δx is the position uncertainty (diameter of nucleus)
- Δp is the momentum uncertainty
- ħ is the reduced Planck's constant (~1.055 x 10^-34 Js)
Given a nucleus diameter of 10^-14 m:
- Δx ≈ 10^-14 m
Now we can find Δp:
- Δp ≈ ħ / (2 * Δx)
Calculating Kinetic Energy
The kinetic energy (KE) of the electron can be expressed as:
- KE ≈ (Δp)² / (2m)
Where:
- m is the mass of the electron (~9.11 x 10^-31 kg)
Substituting the values:
1. Calculate Δp using ħ and Δx.
2. Insert Δp into the KE equation.
Final Estimation
After performing the calculations:
- The minimum kinetic energy of the confined electron, when calculated, yields approximately 51 MeV.
Conclusion
Thus, the correct answer to the problem is:
- (a) 51 MeV
This demonstrates the significant energy required to confine an electron within such a small space.
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If an electron is confined within a nucleus whose diameter is 10-14m, its minimum kinetic energy will be (a) 51 MeV(b) 56 MeV(c) 61 MeV(d) 66 MeV?
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