When to use the DeBroglie Equation

[anjali41]

Under what situations am I supposed to use the DeBroglie equation? When should I use this equation instead of other equations to find wavelength (like c= lambda x v)?

[Fiona Latifi 1A]

It depends on what values you are given in the problem. If you are given the momentum, then use De Broglie's equation but if you are only given the frequency and asked to find the wavelength, then use c=lambda*v. It helps if you start out by writing the values that you have. This way, you can easily visualize the variables that you have and what you are looking for.

[Katie Bart 1I]

Since p=mv, if you are given either mass or velocity (or both), use the DeBroglie Equation.

[Nohemi Garcia 1L]

It works for problems that ask for the wavelength but list a momentum (m/s) instead of a frequency. As others have mentioned already, it is pretty similar to the equation, c=lamda*frequency; just be careful not to confuse the two.