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An atom in a metastable state has a lifetime of 5.2 ms. What is the uncertainty in energy of the metastable state?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The energy uncertainty is approximately 1.0148×1032 joules.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Lifetime and Energy Uncertainty

The energy uncertainty of a quantum state, such as a metastable state of an atom, can be determined using the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. This principle in relation to energy (ΔE) and time (Δt) is given as: ΔEΔt2 where is the reduced Planck’s constant (=1.0545718×1034Js). Here, Δt is provided as the lifetime of the metastable state.
02

Set Up the Inequality for Uncertainty

Given the relation ΔEΔt=2, we can solve for the uncertainty in energy ΔE. Δt=5.2 ms = 5.2×103 s.
03

Solve for Energy Uncertainty

To find ΔE, rearrange the formula: ΔE=2Δt. Substituting the values, we get: ΔE=1.0545718×10342×5.2×103.
04

Calculating the Result

Perform the calculation: ΔE1.0545718×10342×5.2×1031.0148×1032 J. Therefore, the uncertainty in energy of the metastable state is approximately 1.0148×1032 joules.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Metastable State
A metastable state refers to a temporary state of an atom where it is in an excited configuration. Unlike typical excited states, a metastable state has an unusually long lifetime before decaying to a more stable state. This prolonged existence makes it interesting to scientists as it provides a window to study various phenomena in quantum mechanics, such as energy levels and transitions.

The extended lifetime of a metastable state is due to restricted transition possibilities to a lower energy state. Such restrictions often occur when transitions to lower energy levels are "forbidden" or highly improbable under normal circumstances. This phenomenon is a key reason why some atomic states can last milliseconds, like the one mentioned with a 5.2 ms lifetime, in contrast to typical excited states that decay in nanoseconds.

Metastable states are incredibly significant in areas like lasers and phosphorescence, where sustained emission of light or energy over time is harnessed for practical applications.
Energy Uncertainty
Energy uncertainty is a principle that arises from the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which posits that it is impossible to know both the energy and duration of a quantum system's state with absolute precision. In the context of a metastable state, this means that the exact energy level of the state cannot be perfectly defined if the lifetime of the state is known, and vice versa.

This uncertainty is expressed through the formula ΔEΔt2 where ΔE is the energy uncertainty, Δt is the time uncertainty or the lifetime of the state, and is the reduced Planck's constant. The inequality highlights how knowledge about either time or energy impacts the precision with which the other can be determined.

Understanding energy uncertainty is crucial in quantum mechanics as it underscores the intrinsic limitations in measuring quantum states, influencing theories that tackle the behavior of atoms and particles at the smallest scales.
Reduced Planck's Constant
The reduced Planck's constant, often denoted by , is a fundamental physical constant crucial in quantum mechanics. It is defined as the Planck's constant h divided by 2π, or =h2π1.0545718×1034Js.

is widely used as it naturally appears in quantum physics equations that describe the properties and behaviors of particles at quantum levels. In the context of the uncertainty principle, bridges the connection between the measurable energy of a system and the time duration over which it can be accurately measured.

This constant is pivotal in understanding the scale at which quantum effects become significant. It plays a critical role in formulas that govern quantum entities like electrons in an atom or photons in light, signifying its ubiquitous presence in the equations that describe the microscopic universe.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, what is the de Broglie wavelength of the electron when it is in (a) the n = 1 level and (b) the n = 4 level? In both cases, compare the de Broglie wavelength to the circumference 2πrn of the orbit.

A sample of hydrogen atoms is irradiated with light with wavelength 85.5 nm, and electrons are observed leaving the gas. (a) If each hydrogen atom were initially in its ground level, what would be the maximum kinetic energy in electron volts of these photoelectrons? (b) A few electrons are detected with energies as much as 10.2 eV greater than the maximum kinetic energy calculated in part (a). How can this be?

A 4.78-MeV alpha particle from a 226Ra decay makes a head-on collision with a uranium nucleus. A uranium nucleus has 92 protons. (a) What is the distance of closest approach of the alpha particle to the center of the nucleus? Assume that the uranium nucleus remains at rest and that the distance of closest approach is much greater than the radius of the uranium nucleus. (b) What is the force on the alpha particle at the instant when it is at the distance of closest approach?

A certain atom has an energy state 3.50 eV above the ground state. When excited to this state, the atom remains for 2.0 μs, on average, before it emits a photon and returns to the ground state. (a) What are the energy and wavelength of the photon? (b) What is the smallest possible uncertainty in energy of the photon?

A beam of alpha particles is incident on a target of lead. A particular alpha particle comes in "head-on" to a particular lead nucleus and stops 6.50 × 1014 m away from the center of the nucleus. (This point is well outside the nucleus.) Assume that the lead nucleus, which has 82 protons, remains at rest. The mass of the alpha particle is 6.64 × 1027 kg. (a) Calculate the electrostatic potential energy at the instant that the alpha particle stops. Express your result in joules and in MeV. (b) What initial kinetic energy (in joules and in MeV) did the alpha particle have? (c) What was the initial speed of the alpha particle?

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