What is the de Broglie wavelength of an electron traveling at 1.35 x 10^5 m/s?

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Identify the formula for the de Broglie wavelength: \( \lambda = \frac{h}{mv} \), where \( \lambda \) is the wavelength, \( h \) is Planck's constant (6.626 x 10^{-34} \text{ m}^2 \text{ kg/s}), \( m \) is the mass of the electron (9.109 x 10^{-31} \text{ kg}), and \( v \) is the velocity of the electron.

Substitute the given velocity \( v = 1.35 \times 10^5 \text{ m/s} \) into the formula.

Substitute the known values for Planck's constant \( h = 6.626 \times 10^{-34} \text{ m}^2 \text{ kg/s} \) and the mass of the electron \( m = 9.109 \times 10^{-31} \text{ kg} \) into the formula.

Calculate the de Broglie wavelength by performing the division \( \lambda = \frac{6.626 \times 10^{-34}}{9.109 \times 10^{-31} \times 1.35 \times 10^5} \).

Simplify the expression to find the de Broglie wavelength \( \lambda \).

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

de Broglie Wavelength

The de Broglie wavelength is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that describes the wave-like behavior of particles. It is given by the formula λ = h/p, where λ is the wavelength, h is Planck's constant, and p is the momentum of the particle. This concept illustrates that all matter exhibits both particle and wave characteristics, which is essential for understanding phenomena at the quantum level.

Momentum

Momentum is a physical quantity defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity (p = mv). In the context of the de Broglie wavelength, momentum is crucial because it directly influences the wavelength of a particle. For an electron, which has a small mass, even a relatively high speed can result in a significant momentum, thereby affecting its wave properties.

Planck's Constant

Planck's constant (h) is a fundamental constant in quantum mechanics, valued at approximately 6.626 x 10^-34 Js. It relates the energy of a photon to its frequency and plays a critical role in the de Broglie wavelength equation. Understanding Planck's constant is essential for calculating the wave properties of particles, as it bridges the gap between classical and quantum physics.

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