Electron and deBroglie wavelength

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the energy and wavefunction of an electron with a de Broglie wavelength of 10^-8 cm. The energy is derived using the formula E = p^2 / 2m, resulting in 150.142 eV. The time-independent wavefunction is expressed as φ = Ae^{ikx} + Be^{-ikx}, where k is calculated to be 3.94784 x 10^21 m^-1. The calculations are confirmed to be correct by participants in the forum.

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Homework Statement



An electron moves in the x direction with the de Broglie wavelength 10^-8 cm.

a) What is the energy of the electron in (eV)?
b) What is the time-independent wavefunction of the electron?

Solution?

a) We have p = h/2pi * k = h/2pi * 2pi / lambda. So, p = h / lambda. Now, we need energy, so we have E = p^2 / 2m = h^2 / lambda ^2 * 1 / 2m = 2.40987e-17 J >> 150.142 eV.

b) By Schroedinger's equation, we have

-\frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{\partial^2 \phi}{\partial x^2} = E \phi,

so we have that

\phi = Ae^{ikx} + Be^{-ikx} = Ae^{i \cdot 3.94784 \cdot 10^{21} \cdot x} + Be^{-i \cdot 3.94784 \cdot 10^{21} \cdot x}
 
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