Wavelength of an accelerated electron
QUESTION:
Approximately what is the "de Broglie" wavelength of an electron that has been accelerated
through a potential difference of = 150 V? (The mass of an electron = 9.11 x 10
-31
kg.)
Possible answers:
(a) 0.1 nm
(b) 1 nm
(c) 10 nm
(d) 100 nm
(e) 1000 nm
Answer:
The kinetic energy of an electron accelerated through a
potential difference of V volts is given by the equation:
½ mv
2 = eV where
e is the electron charge (1.6x10
-19 C) [You must be given the electron charge and
Planck's constant in order to answer this question].
and so v = square root (2eV/m)
= 7.26x10
6 m/s
Therefore: wavelength = h/mv = h/[9.11x10
-
31x7.26x10
6] = 1x10
-10 = 0.1 nm
The correct answer is
(a)