A heavy nucleus at rest breaks into two fragments, which fly off with velocities in the ratio $8:1$. What is the ratio of de-Broglie wavelengths of the fragments?
A) $1:2$
B) $1:8$
C) $4:1$
D $\text{None of these}$
Answer
299.1k+ views
Hint: Whenever a body is in motion, its energies and all other quantities change, but the momentum remains constant. Hence, from the ratio of the velocities of the two fragments, the ratio of the masses of the two fragments can be obtained by conserving momentum.
Complete step by step solution:
Light behaves like a particle and also a wave depending on the experiment conducted. The photoelectric effect shows particle-like behaviour and travels in small packets called photons, whereas in Young’s double-slit experiment, it behaves as a wave and causes constructive and destructive interference at different points on the screen.
The scientist Louis de-Broglie suggested that even electrons possess both particle-like and wave-like properties and should be associated with the equation as that of the photons, i.e., ${\lambda _e} = \dfrac{h}{{mv}}$ .
Davisson and Germer conducted an experiment where they shot electrons just like the photons to check for electrons’ wave nature. They found that the electrons did not just create two bright spots but actually exhibited constructive and destructive interference at different points on the screen, just like the photons. Hence, de Broglie's postulates were proved.
By conservation of momentum $(p = mv)$:
$\Delta p = 0$
$ \Rightarrow {m_1}{v_1} = {m_2}{v_2}$
Given that $\dfrac{{{v_1}}}{{{v_2}}} = \dfrac{8}{1}$………….. equation (1)
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{m_2}}}{{{m_1}}} = \dfrac{{{v_1}}}{{{v_2}}} = \dfrac{8}{1}$
$\therefore \dfrac{{{m_1}}}{{{m_2}}} = \dfrac{1}{8}$...…….. equation (2)
The de-Broglie wavelength $(\lambda )$ is expressed as:
$\lambda = \dfrac{h}{{mv}}$
where,
$h = $ Planck’s constant $ = 6.626 \times {10^{ - 34}}{m^2}Kg.{s^{ - 1}}$
$m = $ mass of particle
$v = $ velocity of particle
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{\lambda _1}}}{{{\lambda _2}}} = \dfrac{h}{{{m_1}{v_1}}} \times \dfrac{{{m_2}{v_2}}}{h}$
Canceling $h$ from both sides:
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{\lambda _1}}}{{{\lambda _2}}} = \dfrac{{{m_2}}}{{{m_1}}} \times \dfrac{{{v_2}}}{{{v_1}}}$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{\lambda _1}}}{{{\lambda _2}}} = \dfrac{8}{1} \times \dfrac{1}{8}$
$\therefore \dfrac{{{\lambda _1}}}{{{\lambda _2}}} = \dfrac{1}{1}$
The correct answer is [D], None of these.
Note: Planck’s constant is the link between the macroscopic and the microscopic worlds. Matter particles as waves can be recognized with the help of the emergence of the Planck’s constant. In all, the postulates of de-Broglie influenced fundamental quantum physics.
Complete step by step solution:
Light behaves like a particle and also a wave depending on the experiment conducted. The photoelectric effect shows particle-like behaviour and travels in small packets called photons, whereas in Young’s double-slit experiment, it behaves as a wave and causes constructive and destructive interference at different points on the screen.
The scientist Louis de-Broglie suggested that even electrons possess both particle-like and wave-like properties and should be associated with the equation as that of the photons, i.e., ${\lambda _e} = \dfrac{h}{{mv}}$ .
Davisson and Germer conducted an experiment where they shot electrons just like the photons to check for electrons’ wave nature. They found that the electrons did not just create two bright spots but actually exhibited constructive and destructive interference at different points on the screen, just like the photons. Hence, de Broglie's postulates were proved.
By conservation of momentum $(p = mv)$:
$\Delta p = 0$
$ \Rightarrow {m_1}{v_1} = {m_2}{v_2}$
Given that $\dfrac{{{v_1}}}{{{v_2}}} = \dfrac{8}{1}$………….. equation (1)
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{m_2}}}{{{m_1}}} = \dfrac{{{v_1}}}{{{v_2}}} = \dfrac{8}{1}$
$\therefore \dfrac{{{m_1}}}{{{m_2}}} = \dfrac{1}{8}$...…….. equation (2)
The de-Broglie wavelength $(\lambda )$ is expressed as:
$\lambda = \dfrac{h}{{mv}}$
where,
$h = $ Planck’s constant $ = 6.626 \times {10^{ - 34}}{m^2}Kg.{s^{ - 1}}$
$m = $ mass of particle
$v = $ velocity of particle
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{\lambda _1}}}{{{\lambda _2}}} = \dfrac{h}{{{m_1}{v_1}}} \times \dfrac{{{m_2}{v_2}}}{h}$
Canceling $h$ from both sides:
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{\lambda _1}}}{{{\lambda _2}}} = \dfrac{{{m_2}}}{{{m_1}}} \times \dfrac{{{v_2}}}{{{v_1}}}$
$ \Rightarrow \dfrac{{{\lambda _1}}}{{{\lambda _2}}} = \dfrac{8}{1} \times \dfrac{1}{8}$
$\therefore \dfrac{{{\lambda _1}}}{{{\lambda _2}}} = \dfrac{1}{1}$
The correct answer is [D], None of these.
Note: Planck’s constant is the link between the macroscopic and the microscopic worlds. Matter particles as waves can be recognized with the help of the emergence of the Planck’s constant. In all, the postulates of de-Broglie influenced fundamental quantum physics.
Recently Updated Pages
If the magnetizing field on a ferromagnetic material class 12 physics JEE_Main

A point charge is placed at the corner of a cube The class 12 physics JEE_Main

What changes occur if the monochromatic light used class 12 physics JEE_Main

The unit of specific conductance is A Ohm B Ohmmetre class 12 physics JEE_Main

Which lens is used in magnifying glass A Concave lens class 12 physics JEE_Main

Sir C V Raman won the Nobel Prize in which year A 1928 class 12 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Other Pages
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026: Download SET-wise PDF with Answer Key & Analysis

JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

What Are Current and Potential Difference in Electricity?

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

Hybridisation in Chemistry – Concept, Types & Applications

Understanding Geostationary and Geosynchronous Satellites

