The wavelength of light from the spectral emission line of sodium is 589 nm.
The wavelength of light from the spectral emission line of sodium is 589 nm. Find the kinetic energy at which
(a) an electron, and
(b) a neutron, would have the same de Broglie wavelength.
Wavelength of light of a sodium line, λ = 589 nm = 589 × 10−9 m
Mass of an electron, me= 9.1 × 10−31 kg
Mass of a neutron, mn= 1.66 × 10−27 kg
Planck’s constant, h = 6.6 × 10−34 Js
(a) For the kinetic energy K, of an electron accelerating with a velocity v, we have the relation:
$K=\frac{1}{2} m_{e} v^{2}$ ....(1)
We have the relation for de Broglie wavelength as:
$\lambda=\frac{h}{m_{e} v}$
$\therefore v^{2}=\frac{h^{2}}{\lambda^{2} m_{e}{ }^{2}}$ ...(2)
Substituting equation (2) in equation (1), we get the relation:
$K=\frac{1}{2} \frac{m_{e} h^{2}}{\lambda^{2} m_{e}{ }^{2}}=\frac{h^{2}}{2 \lambda^{2} m_{e}}$ ....(3)
$=\frac{\left(6.6 \times 10^{-34}\right)^{2}}{2 \times\left(589 \times 10^{-9}\right)^{2} \times 9.1 \times 10^{-31}}$
$\approx 6.9 \times 10^{-25} \mathrm{~J}$
$=\frac{6.9 \times 10^{-25}}{1.6 \times 10^{-19}}=4.31 \times 10^{-6} \mathrm{eV}=4.31 \mu \mathrm{eV}$
Hence, the kinetic energy of the electron is 6.9 × 10−25 J or 4.31 μeV.
(b) Using equation (3), we can write the relation for the kinetic energy of the neutron as:
$\frac{h^{2}}{2 \lambda^{2} m_{n}}$
$=\frac{\left(6.6 \times 10^{-34}\right)^{2}}{2 \times\left(589 \times 10^{-9}\right)^{2} \times 1.66 \times 10^{-27}}$
$=3.78 \times 10^{-28} \mathrm{~J}$
$=\frac{3.78 \times 10^{-28}}{1.6 \times 10^{-19}}=2.36 \times 10^{-9} \mathrm{eV}=2.36 \mathrm{neV}$
Hence, the kinetic energy of the neutron is 3.78 × 10−28 J or 2.36 neV.