Two charged particles of identical charge magnitude but different masses and ( )…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Modern Physics · Modern Physics
Problem
Two charged particles of identical charge magnitude q but different masses m1 and m2 (m2>m1) start from rest and are accelerated through the same potential difference V.
(i) Show that the ratio of their de Broglie wavelengths is λ2λ1=m1m2.
(ii) A deuteron (md=3.34×10−27kg, q=e) and an electron (me=9.1×10−31kg, q=e) are each accelerated through 500V. Using the above result, determine the ratio λe/λd.
(iii) Comment briefly on why heavy charged particles are more suitable than electrons for probing very small distances when accelerated through the same potential.