Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 31 - Think and Solve - Page 598: 25

Answer

The wavelength is $6.6 \times 10^{-30} m$, which is about $3 \times 10^{-19}$ times smaller than the electron wavelength in the previous problem.

Work Step by Step

The de Broglie wavelength is Planck’s constant/momentum, as stated on page 590. First find the ball's momentum. $$p = mv = (0.1 kg)(0.001 \frac{m}{s}) = 1 \times 10^{-4} \frac{kg m}{s}$$ Now find the de Broglie wavelength. $$\lambda = \frac{h}{p} = (6.63 \times 10^{-34} J s )/(1 \times 10^{-4} \frac{kg m}{s} )$$ $$= 6.6 \times 10^{-30} m$$ This is ridiculously small, over a billion billion times smaller than the wavelength of the electron in the previous example.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.