Question

Illustrate the significance of de Broglie equation with an iron ball and an electron.

(i) 6.626 kg iron ball moving with 10 ms^-1.

(ii) An electron moving at 72.73 ms^-1.

Answer 1

(i) λ_{iron ball} = \(\frac{h}{mv}\)

= 1 x 10^-35m

(ii)   λ_{iron ball} = \(\frac{h}{mv}\)

= \(\frac{6.626}{662.6}\) x 10^-3

= 1 x 10⁵ m

For an electron, the de Broglie wavelength is significant and measurable while for iron ball it is too small to measure, hence it becomes insignificant