An electron is hypothesized to circle a nucleus in an orbit whose circumference is 1.25 times its de Broglie wavelength. Which of the following best explains why this orbit would not correspond to a stable energy level in the Bohr model?
(a) A stable orbit requires the circumference to be an integer multiple of 2λ, and 1.25λ is not such a multiple, so the matter wave would not form a standing wave.
(b) The electron’s matter wave would destructively interfere with itself after each revolution, canceling the probability amplitude.
(c) The Coulomb attraction would be insufficient to supply the required centripetal acceleration at that distance.
(d) The uncertainty principle forbids electrons from having any definite wavelength while in orbit.