An electron and a proton are each accelerated from rest through the same potential…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation
Problem
An electron and a proton are each accelerated from rest through the same potential difference of 500 V. Take me=9.11×10−31kg, mp=1.67×10−27kg, e=1.60×10−19C and h=6.63×10−34J s.
(i) Show that the ratio of their de Broglie wavelengths depends only on the square root of the ratio of their masses.
(ii) Evaluate this ratio numerically.
(iii) If the de Broglie wavelength of the electron under these conditions is 5.5×10−11m, find the corresponding wavelength of the proton.