Electrons moving in a beam have the same de Broglie wavelength as protons in a separate beam moving at a speed of 2.8 × 10^4 m/s . What is the speed of the electrons?

de Broglie wavelength formula:
λ = h/mv,
whereλ = wavelength,h = Planck's Constant = 6.626 x 10-34 Js,m = mass of object,v = object's velocity,
Mass of proton mp = 1.6726219 × 10-27 kg,Velocity of proton vp = 2.8 × 104 ms-1 ,Mass of electron me = 9.11 × 10-31 kg,
de Broglie wavelength of proton λp= h/mpvp = (6.626x10-34)/[(1.6726219 × 10-27)(2.8 × 104)] = 1.4170 x 10-11 m,de Broglie wavelength of electron λe= h/meve = λp= 1.4170 x 10-11 m,
Rearranging for ve, we get,
ve= h/λeme, ve = (6.626x10-34)/[(1.4170 x 10-11)(9.11 × 10-31)],ve = 5.1328 x 107 ms-1,ve = 5.1 x 107 ms-1 (correct to 2 significant figures)

HA
Answered by Haider A. Physics tutor

10131 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A ball is rolled, travelling 10 m north in 5s, then 10 m east in 10s. What is the total distance and average speed of the ball? What is the total displacement and average velocity of the ball?


Derive an expression for wave speed in terms of wavelength and frequency.


In the Photoelectric Effect, what is mean by 'threshold frequency' and how does the magnitude a photons frequency effect the electron it is absorbed by?


A projectile is launched from ground level with a speed of 25 m/s at an angle of 42° to the horizontal. What is the horizontal distance from the starting point of the projectile when it hits the ground?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning