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Ez asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 4 years ago

What is the velocity of an electron that has a de Broglie wavelength of 529Å?

Please show the solutions.

1 Answer

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    4 years ago

    Note: I haven't done too many of these DeBroglie type questions, but since no one else has answered, I figured I'd post what I came up with.

    529 Å = 5.29 x 10^-8 m

    The letter m is used for two things: mass of electron and meters, depending on context.

    m = mass (electron) = 9.11 x 10^-31 kg

    h = Planck’s constant = 6.626 x 10^-34 J • s

    ----

    Find the energy of the electron:

    λ = [h / √(2Em)]

    √(2Em) = (h/λ)

    2Em = (h/λ)²

    E = [(h/λ)² / 2m]

    = [(6.626 x 10^-34 J • s) / (5.29 x 10^-8 m)]² / (2 * 9.11 x 10^-31 kg)

    = 8.611 x 10^-23 J

    --------

    Use the kinetic energy equation to find the velocity:

    E = (1/2)mv²

    v² = (2E / m)

    v = √(2E / m)

    = √{ [2 * (8.611 x 10^-23 J)] / (9.11 x 10^-31 kg) }

    = 1.37 x 10^4 m/s ……… to 3 significant figures

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