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Topic: A question about atom's position.  (Read 2427 times)

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Offline JamesBond007a

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A question about atom's position.
« on: June 21, 2010, 01:38:46 AM »
This is a practice problem for school and I tried solving it many ways but I can't solve it at all.

The problem:

A straight line with a constant speed V*11x10^6 m s^-1 , which has been measured to 0.01% (.001)  What is the max precision with which it's position could be measured simultaneously.

She gave us this equation.

Delta x(position) * Delta p (motion: m*v) is equal or greater to h(planks constant)/2*pie.

She said the diemater of the atom could be anywhere from 1.4 to 5.7 x10^-10 m.

 I tried setting this up many times but I have no clue.

Offline tamim83

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Re: A question about atom's position.
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2010, 08:01:04 AM »
 :delta:p = m* :delta:v.  You know what  :delta:v is from the problem.  You need the mass of the atom.  You can assume one (for example maybe assume that it is an H atom). 

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