Using multiple laser beams, physicists have been able to cool and trap sodium atoms in a small region. In one experiment the temperature of the atoms was reduced to 0.240 mK.
(a) Determine the rms speed of the sodium atoms at this temperature. The atoms can be trapped for about 1.00 s. The trap has a linear dimension of roughly 1.00 cm.
(b) Approximately how long would it take an atom to wander out of the trap region if there were no trapping action?