Engineering Physics

(PHY1701)

Dr. B. Ajitha
Assistant Professor
Division of Physics
VIT University
Chennai, India
ajitha.b@vit.ac.in
 PHY1701
Problems Dr. Ajitha

1) The average kinetic energy of neutrons, atoms and molecules is

also expressed in terms of temperature through the
equipartition law E = 3/2 kT. Write down the de-Broglie formula
for such particles whose energy corresponds to temperature T.
Hence determine the wavelength of thermal neutron; Rest mass
of the neutron is 1.67×10-27 kg.(T=300 K say)
𝒑𝟐 𝟑
𝐸= = 𝒌𝑻  p  3m0 kT
𝟐𝒎𝟎 𝟐

According to de-Broglie,
h h h 6.6 1034
   
mv p 3m0 kT 3 1.67 1027 1.38 1023  300
Non-relativistic formula for K.E is used, as it is valid for ‘T’ not very high

  1.46 1010 m
2
 PHY1701
Problems Dr. Ajitha

2) A beam of mono-energetic neutrons corresponding to 27oC is

allowed to fall on a crystal. A first order reflection is observed at a
glancing angle 30. Calculate the interplanar spacing of the crystal.
According to Bragg’s law
2d sin   n
2d sin 30o C  1   d  
The energy of neutron
E  kT  1.38  1028  300  4.14  1021 J
Now, p  2mn E  2 1.67 1027  4.14 1021
34
h 6.62 10
d    
p 2 1.67 1027  4.14 1021
 1.78 1010 m
3
 PHY1701
Problems Dr. Ajitha

3) 10 kV electrons are passed through a thin film of a metal for

which the atomic spacing is 5.5×10-11m.What is the angle of
deviation of the first order diffraction maximum?
Wavelength of the electron
h 6.6  1034
 
2.m.eV 2  9.11 1031  104  1.602  1019

 1.227 1011 m
Applying Bragg’s formula for diffraction at the atomic planes,

n  2d sin   1 1.227  1011  2  5.5  1011 sin 

sin   0.1115
  6o 24 '
Angle through which electron is deviated =2𝜃  12 48'
o