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# A Proton and an Alpha Particle Are Accelerated Through the Same Potential. Which One of the Two Has (I) Greater Value of De−Broglie Wavelength Associated with It and (Ii) Less Kinetic Energy. - Physics

Conceptde-Broglie Relation

#### Question

A proton and an alpha particle are accelerated through the same potential. Which one of the two has (i) greater value of de−Broglie wavelength associated with it and (ii) less kinetic energy. Give reasons to justify your answer.

#### Solution

(a) de-Broglie wavelength of a particle depends upon its mass and charge for same accelerating potential, such that

$\lambda \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{(\text { mass })(\text { charge })}}$

Mass and charge of a proton are mp and e respectively,
and, mass and charge of an alpha particle are 4mp and 2e respectively.
where, e is the charge of an electron

$\frac{\lambda_p}{\lambda_\alpha} = \sqrt{\frac{m_\alpha q_\alpha}{m_p q_p}} = \sqrt{\frac{(4 m_p )(2e)}{( m_p )(e)}} = 2\sqrt{2}$

Thus, de-broglie wavelength associated with proton is

$2\sqrt{2}$ times of the de-broglie wavelength of alpha particle.
(b) K.E. $\propto q$ (for same accelerating potential)
Charge of an alpha particle is more as compared to a proton. So, it will have a greater value of K.E. Hence, proton will have lesser kinetic energy.
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Solution A Proton and an Alpha Particle Are Accelerated Through the Same Potential. Which One of the Two Has (I) Greater Value of De−Broglie Wavelength Associated with It and (Ii) Less Kinetic Energy. Concept: de-Broglie Relation.
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