A proton and an $\alpha - particle$are accelerated through the same potential difference.Which one of the two has
(i) greater de-Broglie wavelength, and (ii) less kinetic energy? Justify your answer.
Answer
639.9k+ views
Hint: Charge and mass of both proton and $\alpha - particle$ are different so they will have different electrostatic potential energy or kinetic energy and since energies and masses are different there will be difference in de-broglie wavelength too.
Complete answer:
We know that when a charge particle q is accelerated through a potential difference V then the charge particle acquires a kinetic energy $qV$. So, the charge on the proton is $e$. And charge on $\alpha - particle$ is 2e. Both are accelerated through same potential difference (let's say it is V)
Then the kinetic energy of the proton will be $eV$. And the kinetic energy of $\alpha - particle$ will be $2eV$. As we can clearly see proton has less kinetic energy.Now we will calculate de-broglie wavelength.Let mass of proton is $m$, then mass of $\alpha - particle$ will be $4m$.
We know that for an elementary particle de-broglie wavelength.
$\lambda = \dfrac{h}{{\sqrt {2mKE} }}$
Where $m$ is mass of the particle and $KE$ is kinetic energy of the particle
So,
${\lambda _{proton}} = \dfrac{h}{{\sqrt {2meV} }}$ and
${\lambda _{\alpha - particle}} = \dfrac{h}{{\sqrt {2(4m)2eV} }}\\
\therefore{\lambda _{\alpha - particle}} = \dfrac{h}{{\sqrt {16meV} }}$
Clearly proton has greater de-broglie wavelength.
Hence the correct answer for (i) is proton and for (ii) is also proton.
Note: It looks counter-intuitive that answer for both parts is same which is proton in this case but it should be true because charge on proton is less than the $\alpha - particle$ so kinetic energy of the proton must be smaller as compared to $\alpha - particle$ and since kinetic energy is smaller de-broglie wavelength must be larger for proton.
Complete answer:
We know that when a charge particle q is accelerated through a potential difference V then the charge particle acquires a kinetic energy $qV$. So, the charge on the proton is $e$. And charge on $\alpha - particle$ is 2e. Both are accelerated through same potential difference (let's say it is V)
Then the kinetic energy of the proton will be $eV$. And the kinetic energy of $\alpha - particle$ will be $2eV$. As we can clearly see proton has less kinetic energy.Now we will calculate de-broglie wavelength.Let mass of proton is $m$, then mass of $\alpha - particle$ will be $4m$.
We know that for an elementary particle de-broglie wavelength.
$\lambda = \dfrac{h}{{\sqrt {2mKE} }}$
Where $m$ is mass of the particle and $KE$ is kinetic energy of the particle
So,
${\lambda _{proton}} = \dfrac{h}{{\sqrt {2meV} }}$ and
${\lambda _{\alpha - particle}} = \dfrac{h}{{\sqrt {2(4m)2eV} }}\\
\therefore{\lambda _{\alpha - particle}} = \dfrac{h}{{\sqrt {16meV} }}$
Clearly proton has greater de-broglie wavelength.
Hence the correct answer for (i) is proton and for (ii) is also proton.
Note: It looks counter-intuitive that answer for both parts is same which is proton in this case but it should be true because charge on proton is less than the $\alpha - particle$ so kinetic energy of the proton must be smaller as compared to $\alpha - particle$ and since kinetic energy is smaller de-broglie wavelength must be larger for proton.
Recently Updated Pages
What is BLO What is the full form of BLO class 8 social science CBSE

Explain the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 class 10 social science CBSE

10 examples of friction in our daily life

Draw a diagram of nephron and explain its structur class 11 biology CBSE

Write structures of the following compounds i 2 Chloro3methylpentane class 11 chemistry CBSE

A Paragraph on Pollution in about 100-150 Words

Trending doubts
Draw a labelled sketch of the human eye class 12 physics CBSE

Which are the Top 10 Largest Countries of the World?

Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous class 12 chemistry CBSE

Draw ray diagrams each showing i myopic eye and ii class 12 physics CBSE

Which is the correct genotypic ratio of mendel dihybrid class 12 biology CBSE

What is the Full Form of PVC, PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP and PS ?

