Question

Find the ratio of de-Broglie wavelengths of deuteron having energy E and \(\alpha\)-particle having energy 2E :

Hint:

The de-Broglie wavelength depends on both mass and kinetic energy through $\lambda = h/\sqrt{2mE}$, so you do not need to work out actual mass or energy values - only their ratio matters here. Recall that a deuteron is a hydrogen isotope (one proton plus one neutron) and an alpha particle is a helium nucleus, then think about how their mass ratio combines with the given energy ratio.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2