Physics - Quantum Mechanics?

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The size of an atom is on the order of 10^-10m in diameter. For an electron to be confined to a nucleus, its de Broglie wavelength would have to be of that magnitude or smaller. What would be the KE of an electron confined to this region?

Hi, I was wondering how you would approach this problem?
Would you use a combination of de Broglie's wavelength ( wavelength = (h/mv) ) w/ the uncertainty principle?

Thanks for any help! :)
 
Yes you are right.
From wavelength lambda calculate momentum (p) using
p = h/lambda

Now you know momentum (p) and mass(m=9.1 x 10^-31 kg)
of an electron. So you can calculate the kinetic energy.

Note: 10^-10 m is the diameter of an atom. So the calculations will give you KE of an electron confined to an atom.
If you want the KE of an electron confined to a nucleus, then use
lambda = 10^-15 m because a nucleus is of the order of 10^-15 m
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