Which of the following particles would have the shortest wavelength?

[khamaar]

which of the following particles would have shortest wavelength provided that all move with the same kinetic energy?

electron, proton, neutron, alpha paricle?

My professor said in class that it was alpha particle,

but i think its electron...

which one is right? and why?

 

[Doc Al]

What's your reasoning?

What determines the De Broglie wavelength?

 

[Bill_K]

For nonrelativistic particles the de Broglie wavelength is h/p = h/sqrt(2mE). So if the particle have the same kinetic energy, greater mass means smaller wavelength. Your professor is right, the alpha particle will have the smallest wavelength.

 

[khamaar]

Thank you very much. I am infact startled at the fact that right after posting this question, i got back to my table and tried to re-calculate it...and it was the alpha particle...Strange isn't it?