Problem 1B.5: Units KeV

[Julia Lindner 1I]

This question is asking for you to calculate the wavelength of y-rays, and you are given the energy of the photons: 140.511 keV. Does anyone know what the unit keV means and how to use it in an equation? I tried using E=hv to find frequency and then using C= λv to find the wavelength. But I got stuck on units and how to cancel them.

[Max Hayama 4K]

The unit eV stands for electron volt, and is approximately 1.602x10^19 J per 1 eV. Therefore, to begin this problem, you should convert 140.511 KeV to eV by multiplying by 1000, then multiply that by 1.602x10^19 to get the joules. Then use the energy equation to find frequency, and use this frequency in the speed of light equation to find wavelength.

[Jonathan Omens 1K]

keV is a kilo-electron Volt, or 1000 electron volts. 1 Joule is equal to electron volts. So 1 Joule = keV.