Here is the full question:
A beam of electrons is accelerated from rest through a potential difference of 0.400 kV and then passes through a thin slit. When viewed far from the slit, the diffracted beam shows its first diffraction minima at ± 15.1° from the original direction of the beam.
How wide is the slit?
Answer:
0.235 nm
Explanation:
Given that:
The potential difference (V) = 0.400 kV = 400 V
angle of diffraction (θ) = 15.1°
Using the conservation energy to determine the seed of the electron; we have:
Making v the subject of the formula; we have:
where our constants are
m =
e =
given potential difference (V) = 0.400 kV = 400 V
substituting our parameters; we have:
From De broglie wave equation;
--------------Equation(1)
Davisson and Germer Experiment also shows that;
making the subject of the formula; we have:
--------------- Equation (2)
Equating equation (1) and (2); we have:
----------- Equation(3)
where;
a = width of the slit
n = order of diffraction
θ = angle of diffraction
Since we were told that when the beam of electrons were viewed from the slit, the diffracted beam shows its first diffraction minima ;
then (n) = first order = 1
where: h =
n = 1
m =
θ = 15. 1°
Substituting our values into equation (3); we have:
Converting m to nm; we have
a = 0.235 nm
∴ the width of the slit = 0.235 nm
I hope that helps alot!