Problem in the Defination of electon's wavelength

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In summary, the electron's wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of its wavefunction, inversely related to its momentum and energy. It cannot be measured directly and differs from the definition of a photon's wavelength. This concept is crucial in understanding the wave-like behavior of particles and has various practical applications.
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soopo
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Given:
[tex]\lambda = h / (mv) [/tex], whehere lambda is the wavelenght of electron, h Planck's constant, m the rest mass of electron and v the speed of electron.

Problem:
Does electron has a mass? I know it has a rest mass and thus contain energy. This problem is perhaps a defination problem.
 
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  • #2
Sure the electron has a mass. (What would make you think otherwise?)
 
  • #3
electron mass = 9.109382 x 10 to the -31st power (in kg)
 
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Related to Problem in the Defination of electon's wavelength

1. What is the definition of an electron's wavelength?

The definition of an electron's wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of an electron's wavefunction, also known as its de Broglie wavelength. It is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that relates the momentum of an electron to its wavelength.

2. How is an electron's wavelength related to its energy?

According to the de Broglie equation, the wavelength of an electron is inversely proportional to its momentum, which is directly related to its energy. This means that as an electron's energy increases, its wavelength decreases. This relationship is a key aspect of the wave-particle duality of electrons.

3. Can an electron's wavelength be measured directly?

No, an electron's wavelength cannot be measured directly. This is because the wavelength of an electron is on the order of nanometers, which is much smaller than the wavelength of visible light. Instead, it is calculated using the de Broglie equation or measured indirectly through experiments such as electron diffraction.

4. How does the definition of an electron's wavelength differ from that of a photon's?

The definition of an electron's wavelength is similar to that of a photon's in that both are measures of the distance between consecutive peaks or troughs of a wave. However, the key difference is that an electron's wavelength is a property of matter, while a photon's wavelength is a property of electromagnetic radiation.

5. Why is the definition of an electron's wavelength important?

The definition of an electron's wavelength is important because it helps us understand the wave-like behavior of particles at the quantum level. It is also essential in various applications, such as electron microscopy and electron diffraction, which rely on the wave nature of electrons to study the structure and properties of matter.

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