Find the voltage needed to accelerate the electron from rest

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the speed of an electron and the voltage required to accelerate it from rest. The speed is derived using the de Broglie wavelength formula, yielding approximately 1.1384 x 10^11 m/s. Participants confirm the calculation is correct for a non-relativistic electron and discuss the relationship between kinetic energy and voltage, emphasizing conservation of energy principles. There is a debate about the feasibility of the calculated speed in relation to the speed of light, suggesting that special relativity should be considered for accurate results. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding both classical and relativistic physics in such calculations.
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Homework Statement


An electron moving with a speed v can behave as wave with wavelength 6.4 x 10^-15 m. Given that the mass of electron = 9.1 x 10^-31 kg and the charge of electron is 1.6 x 10^-19 C, find
(a) the speed of v of the electron, and
(b) the voltage needed to accelerate the electron from rest until it acquires the speed v.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



(a) wavelength = h / mv
v = h/ (m x wavelength)
= 1.1384 X 10^11 m/s

How do I calculate (b)? Please help, thank you. Kindly correct me if (a) is wrong.
 
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You are dealing with non-relativistic electron, right ? In that case i don't see any mistake in (a)
(b) Energy = charge * voltage, can you translate that to kinetic energy and pull a speed out of there ?
[EDIT: In case i wasn't clear, the potential energy which is E = e*V translates to kinetic energyenergy but that fact, e*V = mv^2 /2]
 
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The electron gains kinetic energy when moving at the speed you found. Think of the conservation of energy and from where it gained that energy.
 
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0coffeebean0 said:

Homework Statement


An electron moving with a speed v can behave as wave with wavelength 6.4 x 10^-15 m. Given that the mass of electron = 9.1 x 10^-31 kg and the charge of electron is 1.6 x 10^-19 C, find
(a) the speed of v of the electron, and
(b) the voltage needed to accelerate the electron from rest until it acquires the speed v.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



(a) wavelength = h / mv
v = h/ (m x wavelength)
= 1.1384 X 10^11 m/s

How do I calculate (b)? Please help, thank you. Kindly correct me if (a) is wrong.
What is the speed of light? Can you use the rest mass of electron to calculate the momentum? See:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/relativ/relmom.html
 
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Noctisdark said:
You are dealing with non-relativistic electron, right ?
Can anything travel with 1.1384 X 10^11 m/s speed?
 
ehild said:
Can anything travel with 1.1384 X 10^11 m/s speed?
Classically, Yes .
 
What is the speed of light?
Noctisdark said:
Classically, Yes .
And in reality?
 
ehild said:
What is the speed of light?

And in reality?
It doesn't, but people before the 19th thought that it was possible either way, you are extremely right, but as a homework he should use special relativity, i think, however sorry for that .
 
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