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

10139 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe how the strong nuclear force between two nucleons varies the distance between the 2 nucleons.


How do I find an area in m^2 when I'm given lengths in cm?


If a car is travelling over a curved hill, what is the maximum speed it can travel before losing contact with the road surface?


Using Newton's law of universal gravitation, show that T^2 is proportional to r^3 (where T is the orbital period of a planet around a star, and r is the distance between them).


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