College Physics with MasteringPhysics 7th Edition by Jerry Wilson,Anthony Buffa,Bo Lou

Exercise 42

Atoms in a solid are in continuous vibrational motion due to thermal energy. At room temperature, the amplitude of these atomic vibrations is typically about 10 - 9 cm, and their frequency is on the order of 10 12 Hz. (a) What is the approximate period of oscillation of a typical atom (b) What is the maximum speed of such an atom