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43

CHAPTER 2
WAVE NATURE OF MATTER
2-1 DE BROGLIE WAVELENGTH
Problem 2-1
A bullet of mass 41 g travels at 960 m s-1. (a) What
wavelength can we associate with it? (b) Why does the wave
nature of the bullet not reveal itself through the diffraction
effects?
Solution
(a) The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
(6.626 10 34 )
=
=
= 1.683 10 35 m
3
mv (41 10 )(960)
(b) This value of wavelength is extremely small as compared
with any reasonable microscopic distance, therefore the wave
nature of the bullet is not revealed through diffraction effects.
Problem 2-2
What will be the de Broglie wavelength associated with a
mass of 0.01 kg moving with a velocity of 10 m/s?
K.U. B.Sc. 2002
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength associated with a moving object is
given by
h
6.626 10 34
=
=
= 6.626 10 33 m
mv
(0.01)(10)
Problem 2-3
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of virus particle of
mass 1 10 15 kg moving at a speed of 2 mm/s.
P.U. B.Sc. 2005

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WAVE NATURE OF MATTER
44
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
(6.626 10 34 )
=
=
= 3.313 10 16 m
15
3
mv (1 10 )(2 10 )
Problem 2-4
A tennis ball having mass 20 gm is moving at a speed of 50
m/s. Compare its de Broglie wavelength to that of an
electron moving with a velocity of 5 10 6 m/s.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength associated with a moving object is
h
given by
=
mv
For tennis ball
h
(6.626 1034 )
=
=
= 6.626 10 34 m
3
m v (20 10 )(50)
This wavelength is too small to be observed experimentally. For
de Broglie wavelength of electron we have

(6.626 10 34 )
h
e =
=
= 1.455 10 10 m
31
6
m0 v (9.109 10 )(5 10 )
Now

6.626 1034
=
= 4.554 10 24
10
e 1.455 10

Problem 2-5
Find the de Broglie wavelength of 1.0 mg grain of sand
blown by the wind at a speed of 20 m/s.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
6.626 1034
=
=
= 3.313 10 29 m
6
m v (1.0 10 )(20)

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45
Problem 2-6
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron moving
with a speed of 9 x 106 m s -1.
B.U. B.Sc. 2002A
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
(6.626 10 34 )
=
=
= 8.082 10 11 m
31
6
m0 v (9.109 10 )(9 10 )
= 0.808
Problem 2-7
The speed of electron in first orbit of Hydrogen atom is
2 106 m/s. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
(6.626 1034 )
=
=
m0v (9.109 10 31 )(2 106 )

= 3.64 10 10 m = 3.64
This wavelength is comparable to the size of atom and should
be observable.
Problem 2-8
If the de Broglie wavelength of an electron is 1.1 10 10 m,
what is the speed of the electron?
P.U. B.Sc. 2006
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
=
m0 v
h
(6.626 10 34 )
v=
=
= 6.613 106 m / s
31
10
m0 (9.109 10 )(1.110 )
Problem 2-9
What will be the speed of an electron with an associated
wavelength of 2.00 ?
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is defined as

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h
h
= =
p m0v
h
v=
m0

46

(6.626 10 34 )
v=
= 3.64 106 m / s
31
10
(9.109 10 )(2.00 10 )
Problem 2-10
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of a 1.00 keV (a)
electron, (b) neutron and (c) a photon.
Solution
1 2
Now
mv = K
2
mv 2 = 2 K
m 2 v 2 = 2mK or p 2 = 2mK or
p = 2mK
h
h
= =
p
2mK
(a) The de Broglie wavelength for an electron is given by
h
6.626 10 34
=
=
2me K
2(9.109 10 31 )(1 10 3 1.602 10 19 )
= 3.88 10 11 m or 38.8 pm
(b) For a neutron m is replaced by mn i.e.
h
6.626 10 34
=
=
2m n K
2(1.675 10 27 )(1 10 3 1.602 10 19 )
= 9.04 10 13 m or 904 fm
(a) The energy of a photon is given by relation
hc
E=

or

hc (6.626 10 34 )(2.998 10 8 )
=
E
(1 10 3 1.602 10 19 )

= 1.24 10 9 m

or 1.24 nm

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47
Problem 2-11
Calculate the wavelength associated with an alpha particle
emitted by the nucleus of an atom of Radon-226. The kinetic
energy of alpha particle emitted from Radon-222 is 5.486
MeV.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength corresponding to this energy is
h
=
2m K

6.626 10 34
2(6.445 10 27 )(5.486 10 6 1.602 10 19 )

Q 1 eV = 1.602 10 19 J
= 6.225 10 15 m

Problem 2-12
Find the de Broglie wavelength of a 40 keV electrons used in
a certain electron microscope.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength corresponding to kinetic energy K
is
h
6.626 10 34
=
=
2m0 K
2(9.109 10 31 )(50 10 3 1.602 10 19 )

= 6.133 10 12 m
Problem 2-13
Find the wavelength of an electron which has been
accelerated by a potential difference of 54 volts.
B.U. B.Sc. 1989A, 1992A
Solution
1
Now K .E. = m0v 2 = V0e
2
2
m0v = 2V0e
or m02v 2 = 2m0V0e

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48
p = m0v = 2m0V0e
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
(6.626 1034 )
h
h
= =
=
p
2m0V0e
2(9.109 1019 )(54)(1.602 1019 )

= 1.669 10 10 m

or 1.669

Problem 2-14
Suppose we are to build an electron microscope and we
want to operate at a wavelength of 0.10 nm. What
accelerating should be used?
Solution
1
Now
V0 e = m 0 v 2
2
m v2
m v2
p2
(h / ) 2
V0 = 0 = 0
=
=
2 e
2 m0 e 2 m 0 e 2 m 0 e

V0 =

h2
2 m0e 2

(6.626 10 34 ) 2
= 150 volts
2(9.109 10 31 )(1.602 10 19 )(0.10 10 9 ) 2
Problem 2-15
Green light has a wavelength of about 550 nm. Through
what potential difference must an electron be accelerated to
have this wavelength?
Solution
1
V0 e = m 0 v 2
Now
2
m v2
m v2
p2
(h / ) 2
V0 = 0 = 0
=
=
2 e
2 m0 e 2 m 0 e 2 m 0 e
V0 =

V0 =

h2
2 m0e 2

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(6.626 10 34 ) 2
V0 =
2(9.109 10 31 )(1.602 10 19 )(550 10 9 ) 2

49

V0 = 4.97 10 6 volts = 4.97 V

Problem 2-16
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of 5 MeV alpha
particles.
P.U. B.Sc. 1990
Solution
As given the energy of alpha particle, 5 MeV, is much smaller
than its rest mass energy i.e. m c 2 = 3727 MeV , therefore it is a
non-relativistic case. The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
h
= =
p
2m K

where h = 6.626 10 34 Js ,

m = 6.645 10 27 kg and

K = 5MeV = 5 10 6 eV = (5 10 6 )(1,602 10 19 ) J = 8.01 10 13 J

Hence
6.626 10 34
=
= 6.836 10 15 m = 6.836 fm
27
13
2(6.645 10 )(8.01 10 )
Problem 2-17
A proton and electron have the same de Broglie wavelength.
How does their speeds compare, assuming both are much
less than that of light?
Solution
Now
p = e
h
h
=
m p v p me v e
ve m p 1.673 10 27
=
=
= 1.836 10 3
31
v p me 9.109 10
The velocity of electron is 1836 times the velocity of proton.

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50
Problem 2-18
Calculate the ratio of the kinetic energy of an electron to
that of a proton if their wavelengths are equal. Assume that
the speeds are nonrelativistic.
Solution
The kinetic energy of a particle is given by
1
m2v 2
p2
(h / ) 2
h2
K = m v2 =
=
=
=
2
2 m 2 m
2 m
2 m 2
Now
h2
Ke =
2 me 2

h2
Kp =
2 m p 2
Therefore

Q the wavelengths are equal.

K e ( h 2 / 2 me 2 ) m p
=
=
K p ( h 2 / 2 m p 2 ) me

K e 1.673 10 27
=
= 1837
K p 9.109 10 31
Problem 2-19
Find the kinetic energy of an electron whose de Broglie
wavelength is the same as that of 100 keV X-ray.
B.U. B.Sc. 2009S
Solution
The energy of the given X-ray photon is
E = 100 keV = 100 10 3 eV = (1 10 5 )(1.602 10 19 ) J
E = 1.602 10 14 J
h c
E=
But

h c (6.626 10 34 )(2.998 10 8 )
=
= 1.239 10 11 m
14
E
1.602 10
This is the de Broglie wavelength of given electron. The kinetic
energy of the electron is given by

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m02 v 2
1
p2
(h / ) 2
h2
2
K = m0 v =
=
=
=
2
2 m 0 2 m0
2 m0
2 m0 2

51

(6.626 10 34 ) 2
K=
= 1.570 10 15 J
31
11 2
2(9.109 10 )(1.239 10 )
1.570 10 15
K=
eV = 9.80 10 3 eV = 9.80 keV
19
1.602 10
Problem 2-20
Calculate the kinetic energy of a proton having a de Broglie
wavelength of 0.4 .
Solution
The kinetic energy of the proton is given by
m 2p v 2
1
p2
2
K = mpv =
=
2
2 mp 2 mp
K=

(h / ) 2
h2
=
2 mp
2 m p 2

Q p=

34 2

K=
K=

(6.626 10 )
= 8.201 10 20 J
27
10 2
2(1.673 10 )(0.4 10 )

8.201 1020
eV = 0.512 eV
1.602 1019

Problem 2-21
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron whose
kinetic energy is 120 eV.
P.U. B.Sc. 2000, 2003, F.P.S.C. 2007, K.U. B.Sc. 2007
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
h
= =
p
2m 0 K

6.626 10 34
2(9.109 10 31 )(120 1.602 10 19 )

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52
19
Q 1 eV = 1.602 10 J
10
= 1.12 10 m or 1.12

Problem 2-22
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of electrons with kinetic
energy 500 eV.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength of electrons with kinetic energy K
is given by
h
h
= =
p
2m0 K

6.626 1034
2(9.109 10 31 )(500 1.602 1019 )

= 5.485 10 11 m = 0.055 nm
Problem 2-23
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron whose
kinetic energy is 1 keV.
P.U. B.Sc. 2007
Solution
1
Now
m0 v 2 = K
2
m0 v 2 = 2 K
m02 v 2 = 2m0 K
p 2 = 2m 0 K

=
=

or

p = 2 m0 K

h
h
=
p
2m0 K
6.626 10 34

2(9.109 10 31 )(1 10 3 1.602 10 19 )

= 3.88 1011 m = 38.8 pm

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53
Problem 2-24
Find the kinetic energy of an electron with the same
wavelength as blue light ( = 450 nm).
Solution
The kinetic energy of a particle is given by
1
m2v 2
p2
(h / ) 2
h2
2
K= m v =
=
=
=
2
2 m 2 m
2 m
2 m 2
Now
h2
Ke =
2 me 2

Ke =

(6.626 1034 ) 2
= 1.190 10 24 J
31
9 2
2(9.109 10 )(450 10 )

1.190 10 24
eV = 7.43 10 6 eV
1.602 10 19
Problem 2-25
Find the kinetic energy of a neutron with the same
wavelength as blue light ( = 450 nm).
Solution
The kinetic energy of a particle is given by
1
m2v 2
p2
(h / ) 2
h2
K = m v2 =
=
=
=
2
2 m 2 m
2 m
2 m 2
h2
Now K n =
2 mn 2
Ke =

Ke =

(6.626 1034 ) 2
= 6.472 10 28 J
27
9 2
2(1.673 10 )(450 10 )

6.472 1028
eV = 4.04 10 9 eV
19
1.602 10
Problem 2-26
Find the de Broglie wavelength of electron, proton and
alpha particle all having same kinetic energy of 100 eV.
Ke =

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54
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength in terms of kinetic energy K is given
by
h
h
= =
p
2mK

(6.626 10 34

1.171 10 25
=
=
m
2m(100 1.602 10 19 )
For electron m = me = 9.109 10 31 kg and

1.171 10 25

1.171 10 25

9.109 10 31
= 1.227 10 10 m = 1.227
For proton m = m p = 1.673 10 27 kg and

1.171 10 25

1.171 10 25

1.673 10 27
= 2.863 10 12 m = 0.02863
For electron m = m = 6.695 10 27 kg and

1.171 10 25

1.171 10 25

6.695 10 27
= 1.43110 12 m = 0.01431
m

Problem 2-27
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an alpha particle
accelerated through 600 volts.
Solution
Now
T = V0e = (600)(1.602 10 19 ) = 9.612 10 17 J
The de Broglie wavelength in terms of kinetic energy is given
by

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h
= =
p

WAVE NATURE OF MATTER

h

55

2m K
6.626 1034

2(6.645 10

27

)(9.612 10

17

= 5.86 1013 m

Problem 2-28
The wavelength of the yellow spectral emission line of
sodium is 589 nm. At what kinetic energy would an electron
have the same de Broglie wavelength?
K.U. B.Sc. 2001, P.U. B.Sc. 2009
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
h
= =
p
2m 0 K

Square both sides

h2
2 =
2m0 K

or

K=

h2
2m02

K=

(6.626 10 34 ) 2
= 6.947 10 25 J
2(9.109 10 19 )(589 10 9 ) 2

K=

6.947 10 25
eV = 4.34 10 6 eV
19
1.602 10

Problem 2-29
If the de Broglie wavelength of a proton is 0.113 pm,
(a) What is the speed of the proton and
(b) through what electric potential would the proton
have to be accelerated from rest to acquire this
speed?
Solution
(a) The de Broglie wavelength for proton is given by
h
h
=
or v =
mpv
mp

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56
34
(6.626 10 )
v=
= 3.504 106 ms 1
27
12
(1.673 10 )(0.113 10 )
(b) If Vo is the potential through which the proton has to be
accelerated to acquire speed v, then
1
V0 e = m p v 2
2
m p v 2 (1.673 10 27 )(3.504 10 6 ) 2
=
or V0 =
2e
2(1.602 10 19 )

V0 = 6.411 10 4 volts = 64.11kV

Problem 2-30
A thermal neutron in a substance at temperature T is a
neutron with kinetic energy equal to (3kT / 2) , where
k = 1.381 10 23 J / K is the Boltzmann constant. Determine
the wavelength of a thermal neutron in a reactor at
(a) 300 K and
(b) 800 K.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
h
h
h
= =
=
=
p
2mK
3mkT
3
2m kT
2
For a thermal neutron
(6.626 10 34 )
2.515 10 9
=
=
T
3(1.675 10 27 )(1.381 10 23 )T

(a) T = 300 K , =
(b) T = 800 K , =

2.515 10 9
300
2.515 10 9
800

= 1.452 10 10 m
= 8.893 10 11 m

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57
Problem 2-31
What is the de Broglie wavelength of an electron that is
accelerated through a potential difference of 50 kV in a
colour T.V. set?
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
h
h
= =
=
p
2mK
2mVe

6.626 10 34
2(9.109 10 31 )(50 103 )(1.602 10 19 )

= 5.485 10 12 m
Problem 2-32
An electron, a proton and a lead atom have the same de
Broglie wavelength = 280 pm. Determine the kinetic
energy of each.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength in terms of kinetic energy K is given
by
h
h
= =
p
2mK
Squaring both sides
h2
2 =
2mK
h2
(6.626 1034 ) 2
2.800 1048
=
=
or K =
2m2 2m(280 1012 ) 2
m
31
For electron m = me = 9.109 10 kg and

2.800 10 48
K=
= 3.074 10 18 J or 19.2 eV
31
9.109 10
For proton m = m p = 1.673 10 27 kg and
K=

2.800 10 48
= 1.674 10 21 J
27
1.673 10

or 19.2 eV

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For lead atom m = 3.454 10 25 kg

K=

2.800 10 48
= 8.107 10 24 J
3.454 10 25

58

or 5.061 10 5 eV

Problem 2-33
Calculate the kinetic energy of a neutron whose de Broglie
wavelength is 10 -14 m.
Solution
The de Broglie wavelength in terms of kinetic energy K is given
h
h
by
= =
p
2m n K

Squaring both sides 2 =

K=

h2
2m n K
h2
2mn 2

(6.626 10 34 ) 2
= 1.31110 12 J
27
14 2
2(1.675 10 )(1 10 )
K = 8.18MeV
Q 1eV = 1.602 10 19 J
As rest mass energy of a neutron is 939 MeV, therefore the use
of non-relativistic expression is justified.
K=

Problem 2-34
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron having
kinetic energy equal to 2 MeV.
Solution
Now
K = 2 MeV = 2 10 6 eV
K = (2 106 (1.602 10 19 ) J = 3.204 10 13 J
The rest mass energy of the electron is
m0 c 2 = (9.109 10 31 )(2.998 10 8 ) 2 = 8.187 10 14 J

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59
The kinetic energy of electron is greater than its rest mass
energy (about eight times), therefore the relativistic expression
must be used i.e.
E = K + m0 c 2

p 2 c 2 + m02 c 4 = K + m0 c 2
since E 2 = p 2 c 2 + m02 c 4
Square both sides
p 2 c 2 + m02 c 4 = K 2 + 2 Km0 c 2 + m02 c 4
K 2 + 2 Km0 c 2 K ( K + 2m0 c 2 )
p =
=
c2
c2
2

p=

K ( K + 2m 0 c 2 )
c

Hence

h
=
p

hc
K ( K + 2m0c 2 )

(6.626 10 34 )(2.998 108 )

(3.204 1013 ){( 3.204 10 13 ) + 2(8.187 10 14 )

= 5.044 10 13 m
Problem 2-35
An electron has a de Broglie wavelength 5.0 10 10 m .
(a) What is its momentum?
(b) What is its speed?
(c) What voltage was needed to accelerate it to this speed?
B.U. B.Sc. 2009A
Solution
h 6.626 10 34
(a) p = =
= 1.325 10 24 kg m / s
10

5.0 10
h
h
(b) = =
p m0 v

v=

h
6.626 10 34
=
= 1.455 106 m / s
31
10
m0 (9.109 10 )(5.0 10 )

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60
6
v 1.455 10
(c) As =
= 0.005 << 1 , therefore classical
c 2.998 10 8
expression for kinetic energy can be employed. Hence
1
(9.109 10 31 )(1.455 10 6 ) 2
K = m0 v 2 =
= 9.642 10 19 J
2
2
V0 e = K

V0 =

K 9.642 1019
=
= 6.0 volts
e 1.602 10 19

Problem 2-36
Determine the momentum and energy for (a) an X-ray
photon and (b) an electron, each with wavelength of 1.00 .
Solution
h 6.626 1034
(a) p = =
= 6.626 10 24 kg m / s
10
1.00 10
h c (6.626 1034 )(2.998 108 )
E=
=
= 1.986 1015 J

1.00 1010
1.986 10 15
E=
eV = 1.24 10 4 eV
19
1.602 10
h 6.626 1034
= 6.626 10 24 kg m / s
(b) p = =
10
1.00 10

E=

1
m2 v 2
p2
m0v 2 = 0
=
2
2 m0 2 m0

E=

(6.626 1024 ) 2
= 2.410 1017 J
31
2(9.109 10 )

E=

2.410 10 17
eV = 150 eV
1.602 1019

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61

2-2 TESTING DE BROGLIES HYPOTHESIS

Problem 2-37
A neutron crystal spectrometer utilizes crystal planes of
spacing d = 73.2 pm in a Beryllium. What must be the Bragg
angle so that only neutrons of energy K = 4.2 eV are
reflected? Consider only first-order reflections.
Solution
As neutrons carry no charge therefore the treatment of X-ray
diffraction is equally applicable. According to Braggs law
2d sin = m
m
sin =
2d
Now m = 1 and d = 73.2 pm = 73.2 10 12 m = 7.32 10 11 m ,
h
=
2mn K

(6.626 1034 )
2(1.675 10

Hence sin =

27

)(4.2 1.602 10

19

= 1.396 10 11 m

(1)(1.396 10 11 )
= 0.0954
(2)(7.32 10 11 )

= 5 .5 0
Problem 2-38
A Davisson-Germer type experiment using nickel gives peak
intensity in the reflected beam when the incident and
reflected beams have an angular separation of 110o. What is
the electron energy? (For nickel d = 0.091 nm)
Solution
According to Braggs law
m = 2d sin
Now d = 0.091nm = 0.091 10 9 m = 9.1 10 11 m ,
(180 100) 0
=
= 40 0 and m = 1 . Hence
2

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62
0
11
2d sin 2(9.1 10 ) sin 40
=
= 1.17 10 10 m
=
m
1
The de Broglie wavelength in terms of kinetic energy K of the
electron is given by
h
=
2 me K

or

K=

h2
(6.626 10 34 ) 2
=
2me 2 2(9.109 10 31 )(1.17 10 11 ) 2

K = 1.76 10 17 J = 110eV

Problem 2-39
A beam of thermal neutrons from a nuclear reactor falls on
a crystal of calcium fluoride, the beam direction making an
angle with the surface of crystal. The atomic planes
parallel to the crystal surface have an interplanar spacing of
54.65 pm. The de Broglie wavelength of electrons in the
incident beam is 11.0 pm. For what value of will the first
three orders of Bragg-reflected neutron beams occurs?
Solution
According to Braggs law
2d sin = m
m
sin =
2d

11
Now m = 1 , sin =
=
= 0.10067 , = 5 0 4636
2d 2(54.64)
2
11
m = 2 , sin =
=
= 0.20132 , = 110 3651
2d 54.64
3
3(11)
m = 3 , sin =
=
= 0.30198 , = 17 0 3436
2d 2(54.64)
Hence first three orders of Bragg-reflected neutron beams occur
at angles 5 0 4636 , 110 3651 and 17 0 3436 .

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63

2-3 HEISENBERG UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE

Problem 2-40
What will be the mean time interval between production
and decay of short lived particle of rest energy 3097 MeV,
the uncertainty of measurement being only 0.063 MeV?
P.U. B.Sc. 2001
Solution
According to Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
h
(E )(t ) =
2
(6.626 10 34 )
h
or t =
=
2 (E ) 2 (0.063 10 6 1.602 10 19 )
Q 1 eV = 1.602 10 19 J
t = 1.045 10 20 s
This value of time can be identified as the mean lifetime of the
particle.

Problem 2-41
The energy of a certain nuclear state can be measured with
an uncertainty of 1 eV. What is the minimum lifetime of this
state?
Solution
According to Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
h
(E )(t ) =
2
h
(6.626 1034 )
or t =
=
2 (E ) 2 (1.602 1019 )
Q 1 eV = 1.602 10 19 J
t = 6.583 1016 s

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64
Problem 2-42
A nucleus in an excited state will return to its ground state,
emitting a gamma ray in the process. If its mean lifetime is
8.7 ps in a particular excited state of energy 1.32 MeV, find
the uncertainty in the energy of the corresponding emitted
gamma-ray photon.
Solution
The uncertainty in the energy of the emitted gamma-ray photon
is given by the relation
h
(6.626 10 34 )
E =
=
= 1.212 10 23 J
12
2 (t ) 2 (8.7 10 )

E =

1.212 10 23
eV = 7.566 10 5 eV = 75.66 eV
19
1.602 10

Problem 2-43
A pulsed ruby laser has an output of 2.0 GW (gigawatts) and
produces a pulse of 10 psec duration. What is the
uncertainty in the measurement of the laser energy?
Solution
According to Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
h
(E )(t ) =
2
h
(6.626 10 34 )
or E =
=
= 1.055 10 23 J
12
2 (t ) 2 (10 10 )
the desired uncertainty in the measurement of energy.
Problem 2-44
The life time of certain meson is about 10 23 second. How
accurately its rest energy be known?
Solution
According to Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
h
(E )(t ) =
2

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h
E =
2 (t )

E =

65

(6.626 10 34 )
2 (1 10 23 )

E = 1.055 10 11 J or 65.86 MeV

the desired uncertainty in the measurement of energy.

Problem 2-45
An atom is in an excited state has a lifetime of 12 ns; in a
second excited state the lifetime is 23 ns. What is the
uncertainty in energy for a photon emitted when an electron
makes a transition between these two states?
Solution
According to Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
h
h
(E )(t ) =
or
E =
2
2 (t )
h
E1 =
t1 = 12 ns ,
J
2 (12 10 9 )
h
t 2 = 23 ns ,
E 2 =
J
2 (23 10 9 )
Now
35h
E transition = E1 + E 2 =
J
2 (12 23 10 9 )

35(6.626 10 34 )
=
= 1.337 10 26 J
9
2 (12 23 10 )

Etransition =

1.337 10 26
eV = 8.346 10 9 eV
19
1.602 10

Problem 2-46
A microscope using photons is employed to locate an
electron in an atom to within a distance of 12 pm. What is
the minimum uncertainty in the momentum of the electron
in this way?

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66
Solution
The minimum uncertainty p x = p min in the momentum of
electron is given by
6.626 10 34
h
p min =
=
= 8.788 10 24 kg m s-1
2 (x) 2 (12 10 12 )
Problem 2-47
A mass of 1 g has a speed of 1 cm/s. If its speed is uncertain
by 1 percent, what is order of magnitude of minimum
uncertainty in its position?
Solution
According to Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
h
(p )(x) =
2
h
h
x =
=
(1)
2 p 2 m v
Now
m = 1 g = 1 106 g = 1 109 kg
v = 1 cm / s = 1 10 2 m / s
v = 1% of v = (1 / 100)(1 10 2 ) = 1 10 4 m / s
Substitute these values in Eq. (1)
6.626 1034
x =
10 21 m
9
4
2 (1 10 )(1 10 )
Problem 2-48
A proton is confined to a space 1 fm wide (about the size of
atomic nucleus). What is the minimum uncertainty in its
velocity?
Solution
According to Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
h
(p )(x) =
2

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67
h
{ (m p v)}(x) =
2
h
m p (v)(x) =
2
h
6.626 10 34
v =
=
= 6.303 10 6 m / s
2m p (x) 2 (1.673 10 27 )(1 10 18 )
the desired uncertainty in velocity.
Problem 2-49
The position of an electron is measured to an accuracy of 1
. What is uncertainty in its velocity?
Solution
According to Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle,
h
(p )(x) =
2
h
{ (me v)}(x) =
2
h
me (v)(x) =
2
h
v =
2 me (x)

6.626 10 34
= 1.158 106 m / s
2 (9.109 10 31 )(1 1010 )
the desired uncertainty in velocity of electron.

Problem 2-50
The position and momentum of a 1 keV electron are
simultaneously determined. If its position is located to
within 1 , what is the percentage of the uncertainty in its
momentum?

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68
Solution
The momentum of the electron in terms of its kinetic energy is
given by

p = 2me K = 2(9.109 10 19 )(1 10 3 1.602 10 19 )

Q
19

1 eV = 1.602 10 J
p = 1.708 10 23 kg m s-1
The uncertainty in momentum is
h
6.626 10 34
p =
=
= 1.055 10 24 kg m s-1
2 (x) 2 (1 10 10 )
Percentage uncertainty in momentum
p
1.055 10 24
=
100 % =
100 % = 6.18 %
p
1.708 10 24

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69

CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS
(1) Why is the wave nature of matter not more apparent in
our daily observations?
Answer: - The wavelength associated with daily life objects is
extremely small ( 1030 m) and can not be measured
experimentally.
(2) If an electron and a proton travel at the same speed,
which has the shorter wavelength?
Answer: - The de Broglie wavelength is given by
h
h
1
= =
or
p mv
p
The proton will have shorter wavelength because it has more
momentum than electron if both are moving with same speed.
(3) Do you agree with the statement that electromagnetic
radiation will show wave and particle aspect in the same
experiment?
Answer: - No, it will show one aspect only in an experiment.
(4) If the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave is
progressively reduced, what will happen to its particle
behaviour?
Answer: - The particle nature of electromagnetic radiation will
become more and more dominant as its wavelength is
progressively reduced.
(5) What will be the effect on the wave nature of a particle if
h = 0?
Answer: - The particle will have no wave nature and can be
described exclusively by classical mechanics.
(6) If a proton and an electron has the same kinetic energy,
which has the longer de Broglie wavelength? Explain.
Answer: - The de Broglie wavelength in terms of kinetic
energy K is given by
h
h
= =
p
2m K

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70
For a given kinetic energy of the particle, its de Broglie
wavelength becomes
1

m
As electron is lighter than proton, therefore it will have longer
de Broglie wavelength.
(7) Name an instrument based on de Broglie hypothesis.
Answer: - Electron microscope.
(8) How does the de Broglie wavelength associated with a
particle compare with the dimensions of the particle?
Answer: - The de Broglie wavelength is always smaller than
the dimensions of the particle.
(9) If the kinetic energy of a particle increases, then what
will be the effect on its de Broglie wavelength?
Answer: - The de Broglie wavelength in terms of kinetic
h
h
energy K is given by = =
. For a given particle we
p
2m n K

get
1
K
Hence a decrease in de Broglie wavelength of a particle will be
observed with an increase in its kinetic energy.
(10) If an electron has a wavelength, does it also have a
colour? Explain.
Answer: - An electron will exhibit wavelike properties if it
possesses a kinetic energy of 150 eV. This energy corresponds
to a wavelength of 1 which is in the ultraviolet region (more
precisely X-ray region), therefore it has no visible colour.
(11)Why Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle is not
significant at macroscopic level?
Answer: - Due to small value of h i.e.
h
h=
= 1.055 10 34 J s
2

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71
(12) Name an experiment which will confirm the wave-like
behaviour of particles?
Answer: - Davisson and Germer experiment (Diffraction of
electrons by single crystals).

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72

ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS
(1) Calculate the wavelength associated with a bullet
having mass 10 grams and moving with a velocity of
500 m/s.
B.U. B.Sc. 1991A
(2) A particle of mass one gram moves at a speed of 1
mm/s. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength associated
with this particle.
K.U. B.Sc. 1999
(3) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength associated with
an electron after it has been accelerated from rest by
a potential difference of 1 MV.
B.U. B.Sc.(Hons.) 1992A
(4) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron
moving at a speed of 1 10 5 m/s.
(5) Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of 1 MeV alpha
particles.
(6) Compare velocities and kinetic energies of an
electron and of a neutron for which the de Broglie
wavelength is 1 .

Answers
(1) 1.325 10 34 m (2) 6.626 10 28 m (3) 1.227 10 12 m
(4) 7.273 nm
(5) 1.44 10 4 m (6) 7.26 10 6 m / s,
3.96 103 m / s , 0.015 eV and 0.082 eV