For a photon, pγ=E/c and λγ=hc/E. The neutron is nonrelativistic here because 18.8keV≪mnc2, so pn=2mnE and λn=h/pn. Using the supplied common energy givesEqual kinetic energies do not imply equal momenta: the massive particle obeys E=p2/(2mn), while the massless photon obeys E=pc. The neutron momentum is about 316 times larger, so its de Broglie wavelength is about 316 times smaller.
pγ=1.005×10−23kgms−1,λγ=6.595×10−11m,
pn=3.176×10−21kgms−1,λn=2.086×10−13m.
To give the neutron the photon wavelength, set its momentum to E/c, not its kinetic energy to E again. ThenIts kinetic energy would then be about 0.188eV, connecting this comparison with the next calculation.
vn≃mncE=5.999×103ms−1.
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