De Broglie Wavelength Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the de broglie wavelength calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

De Broglie Wavelength

wavelength = 6.626e-34 / (mass * velocity)

Wavelength (nm)

wavelength_nm = 6.626e-34 / (mass * velocity) * 1e9

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
massParticle Mass(kg)9.109e-31
velocityVelocity(m/s)1000000

How It Works

De Broglie Wavelength

All matter has wave-like properties. The de Broglie wavelength describes the wave nature of particles.

Formula

lambda = h / (m * v) = h / p

where h = 6.626 x 10^-34 J·s is Planck's constant and p = mv is the momentum. Heavier or faster particles have shorter wavelengths.

Worked Example

An electron (m = 9.109e-31 kg) traveling at 1e6 m/s.

mass = 9.109e-31velocity = 1000000
  1. 01lambda = h / (m*v)
  2. 02lambda = 6.626e-34 / (9.109e-31 * 1e6)
  3. 03lambda = 6.626e-34 / 9.109e-25
  4. 04lambda = 7.274e-10 m = 0.7274 nm

Ready to run the numbers?

Open De Broglie Wavelength Calculator