Using ideas based upon the quantum theory and Einstein’s theory of relativity, de Broglie suggested that the?momentum?(p) of a particle and its associated wavelength (λ) are related by the equation:
Since momentum p = mv, the de Broglie wavelength can be related to the speed of a moving particle (v) by the equation:
Since kinetic energy?E?= ??mv2
Momentum and kinetic energy can be related by:
Combining this with the de Broglie equation gives a form which relates the de Broglie wavelength of a particle to its kinetic energy:
Where:
λ?= the de Broglie wavelength (m)
h?=?Planck’s constant?(J s)
p?= momentum of the particle (kg m s-1)
E?= kinetic energy of the particle (J)
m?= mass of the particle (kg)
v?= speed of the particle (m s-1)
Worked Example
A proton and an electron are each accelerated from rest through the same potential difference.