Matter Waves for Physics

Question

Estimate the De Broglie wavelength of:

a) The Moon orbiting the Earth;

b) A nitrogen molecule at room temperature;

c) A well-served tennis ball;

d) An alpha particle emitted in the radioactive decay of 210Po;

e) A beta particle emitted in the radioactive decay of 14C (the isotope used for radiocarbon dating);

f) A thermal neutron in a nuclear reactor;

g) A human skydiver at their terminal velocity

Answer 1

The De Broglie wave Length is given by

λ = h/p

Where h = Plank's constant and p = Linear momentum = mass * velocity

In each case m and p are different

Plug in mass and velocity in each case and get wavelength in m