The resolution limit of a microscope is roughly equal to the wavelength of light used in producing the image. Electron microscopes use an electron beam (in place of photons) to produce much higher resolution images, about 0.20 nm in modern instruments. Assuming that the resolution of an electron microscope is equal to the de Broglie wavelength of the electrons used, to what speed must the electrons be accelerated to obtain a resolution of 0.20 nm?
Ch.8 - The Quantum-Mechanical Model of the Atom
Chapter 8, Problem 53
Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of a 143-g baseball traveling at 95 mph. Why is the wave nature of matter not important for a baseball?
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
de Broglie Wavelength
The de Broglie wavelength is a concept in quantum mechanics that describes the wave-like behavior of particles. It is calculated using the formula λ = h/p, where λ is the wavelength, h is Planck's constant, and p is the momentum of the particle. This wavelength becomes significant for microscopic particles, such as electrons, but is negligible for macroscopic objects like a baseball.
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Momentum
Momentum is a physical quantity defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity (p = mv). It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. In the context of the de Broglie wavelength, momentum is crucial because it directly influences the wavelength; larger momentum results in a shorter wavelength, making wave properties less observable in larger objects.
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Wave-Particle Duality
Wave-particle duality is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics stating that every particle exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties. While this duality is significant for small particles, such as photons and electrons, it is not observable in larger objects like a baseball due to their relatively large mass and momentum, which result in extremely short de Broglie wavelengths that are practically unnoticeable.
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Related Practice
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