Two objects are in motion: an electron of mass moving with speed and a cricket ball…

PHYSICS · Single correct · CBSE · Physics · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Problem

Two objects are in motion: an electron of mass 9.1×10−31 kg9.1\times10^{-31}\,\text{kg} moving with speed 1.0×106 m s−11.0\times10^{6}\,\text{m s}^{-1} and a cricket ball of mass 0.15 kg0.15\,\text{kg} moving with speed 30 m s−130\,\text{m s}^{-1}. Which one of the following statements about their de Broglie wavelengths and the possibility of observing diffraction is correct? (a) The electron has a wavelength of 7×10−12 m7\times10^{-12}\,\text{m} while the cricket ball has about 7×10−10 m7\times10^{-10}\,\text{m}; the ball therefore exhibits the stronger wave nature. (b) The electron has a de Broglie wavelength of the order of 0.7 nm0.7\,\text{nm} while the cricket ball has about 10−34 m10^{-34}\,\text{m}; therefore only the electron can show observable diffraction. (c) The electron has a wavelength of about 7 nm7\,\text{nm} and the cricket ball about 10−26 m10^{-26}\,\text{m}; both could display diffraction under suitably fine slits. (d) The electron has a wavelength of roughly 0.7 nm0.7\,\text{nm} and the cricket ball 1.5×10−34 m1.5\times10^{-34}\,\text{m}; but in practice neither of them will show any observable diffraction.

Related theory

Browse the problem library