Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: lmvent on October 19, 2005, 08:36:34 PM

Title: de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: lmvent on October 19, 2005, 08:36:34 PM
What is the de Broglie wavelength of an oxygen molecule, O2, traveling at 285 m/s? Give answer in pm. Do not enter unit.

I used the equation lambda = (h/(mv)) using 0.032 kg for m, 285 m/s for v and 6.63 x 10^-34 for h.  I get lambda to be 7.27 x 10^-35 m and then divide by 1 x 10^-9 to convert to picometers.  Anyone know what I am doing wrong?




Light with a wavelength of 411 nm fell on a strontium surface, and electrons were ejected. If the speed of an ejected electron is 3.26×105 m/s, what energy was expended in removing the electron from the metal? Express the answer in joules (per electron). Do not enter unit.

I tried to mix a few of the equations given: E = hf, c = lambda*f, and lambda = (h/(mv)) but all of the variables of the last equation are known and the equation is not true.  I used lambda = 411 x 10^-9, h = 6.63 x 10^-34, m = 9.1 x 10^-31 and v = 3.26 x 10^5.  Anyone know what I am doing wrong?
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: Mitch on October 19, 2005, 08:50:31 PM
pico is 10^-12m not 10^-9m
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: lmvent on October 19, 2005, 09:07:45 PM
I lied I did use 1 x 10^-12, but it still doesn't work.
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: Mitch on October 19, 2005, 09:19:04 PM
No one likes liars. You said you divided by 1 x 10^-12 above, but you actually have to multiply.
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: lmvent on October 19, 2005, 09:51:41 PM
It is still wrong, but why do you multiply?  

7.27E-35 m x (1 pm/(10^-12 m )) = pm right??
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: Mitch on October 19, 2005, 10:20:44 PM
But the meters are in the denominator not the numerator, so everything is inversed.
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: lmvent on October 19, 2005, 10:22:26 PM
If lambda = (h/(mv)) then lambda is in the numerator isn't it?
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: Mitch on October 19, 2005, 10:24:29 PM
Nevermind, I thought you were converting the velocity, which is in the denominator on the other side..
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: Mitch on October 19, 2005, 10:25:14 PM
By the way your mass for a single molecule of O2 is way too large.
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: lmvent on October 19, 2005, 10:29:21 PM
Isn't it 32 grams, so 0.032 kg??
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: lmvent on October 19, 2005, 10:31:36 PM
Nevermind I get that. Thanks. Can I get a hint for the other problem??
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: Mitch on October 19, 2005, 10:46:32 PM
Its just the energy of 411nm light minus the energy of a 3.26×10^5 m/s electron.
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: lmvent on October 19, 2005, 10:53:08 PM
How do I find the energy of the electron? Is it (1/2)*m*v^2 ?? And I was wrong I am still getting the first problem wrong using (0.032/(6.02 x 10^23)) for the mass.
Title: Re:de Broglie and electron energy
Post by: Mitch on October 19, 2005, 11:24:04 PM
.5mv^2 sounds right.