Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 38 - Quantization - Conceptual Questions - Page 1151: 8

Answer

The electron has a longer de Broglie wavelength.

Work Step by Step

Since the magnitude of the charge of a proton and an electron are equal, both particles have the same kinetic energy after being accelerated through the potential difference. We can write an expression for the speed of each particle: $K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$ $v = \sqrt{\frac{2~K}{m}}$ We can write an expression for the de Broglie wavelength: $\lambda = \frac{h}{mv}$ $\lambda = \frac{h}{(m)(\sqrt{\frac{2~K}{m}})}$ $\lambda = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2~K~m}}$ Since $m_e \lt m_p$, then $\lambda_e \gt \lambda_p$ The electron has a longer de Broglie wavelength.
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