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VICPhysicsQuick questions

Unit 4: How have new ideas and ways of thinking developed our understanding of the physical world?

Quick questions on Matter waves and the de Broglie wavelength: VCE Physics Unit 4

5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is energy as momentum?
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EkE_k in eV is not the momentum. Convert EkE_k to joules, then use p=2mEkp = \sqrt{2 m E_k}.
What is photon formula for matter?
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Photons have E=pcE = pc (relativistic). Non-relativistic matter has E=p2/(2m)E = p^2 / (2 m). The two relations give different λ\lambda.
What is q1?
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State the de Broglie hypothesis and its mathematical form. [2 marks]
What is q2?
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Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of (a) an electron with kinetic energy 100100 eV, and (b) a proton with the same kinetic energy. [4 marks]
What is q3?
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Refer to the Melbourne electron-diffraction tube. (a) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength for a 50005000 eV electron. (b) Compare to graphite layer spacing of 0.3350.335 nm.

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