The mass of an electron is $9.1 \times 10^{-31} \mathrm{~kg}$.

Question.

The mass of an electron is $9.1 \times 10^{-31} \mathrm{~kg}$. If its K.E. is $3.0 \times 10^{-25} \mathrm{~J}$, calculate its wavelength.


Solution:

From de Broglie’s equation,

$\lambda=\frac{\mathrm{h}}{m \mathrm{v}}$

Given,

Kinetic energy (K.E) of the electron $=3.0 \times 10^{-25} \mathrm{~J}$

Since $\mathrm{K} . \mathrm{E}=\frac{1}{2} m v^{2}$

$\therefore$ Velocity $(v)=\sqrt{\frac{2 K \cdot E}{m}}$

$=\sqrt{\frac{2\left(3.0 \times 10^{-25} \mathrm{~J}\right)}{9.10939 \times 10^{-31} \mathrm{~kg}}}$

$=\sqrt{6.5866 \times 10^{4}}$

$v=811.579 \mathrm{~ms}^{-1}$

Substituting the value in the expression of $\lambda$ :

$\lambda=\frac{6.626 \times 10^{-34} \mathrm{Js}}{\left(9.10939 \times 10^{-31} \mathrm{~kg}\right)\left(811.579 \mathrm{~ms}^{-1}\right)}$

$\lambda=8.9625 \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{~m}$

Hence, the wavelength of the electron is $8.9625 \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{~m}$.

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