## Smallest Measurable Wavelength

$\lambda=\frac{h}{p}$

Isaac Wen
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:35 pm
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Smallest Measurable Wavelength

Hi everyone,

What's considered the smallest measurable wavelength that would give wavelike characteristics to an object? I came across this question in one of the module assessments.

29. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of a 0.155 kg ball travelling at 85.0 m.s-1. Can we detect this wavelength or observe the wavelike characteristics of this ball?

Justin Nguyen 3E
Posts: 87
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:35 pm

### Re: Smallest Measurable Wavelength

I think Dr. Lavelle said in one of the recent lecture that objects with a wavelength with less than 10^-15 meters cannot be observed which usually applies to objects with higher masses. Hope this helps!

Siwa Hwang 3G
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:48 pm

### Re: Smallest Measurable Wavelength

Using the De Broglie Equation, you get wavelength = h / (0.155kg x 85 m/sec) = 5.03 x 10^-35m. This wavelength is significantly smaller than the wavelength of an electron (10^12) so it can not be measured.

Will Pham 1J
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:00 pm

### Re: Smallest Measurable Wavelength

Hi, so I know Lavelle said a wavelength less than 10^-15 cannot be observed, but is there an explanation/reasoning for this? Why exactly 10^-15?

Funmi Baruwa
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:50 pm

### Re: Smallest Measurable Wavelength

Just confirming that Dr. Lavelle told us that it is 10^-15 m.

derickngo3d
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:51 pm

### Re: Smallest Measurable Wavelength

Yep, 10^-15 meters is what Dr. Lavelle said.

Jason_John_2F
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:54 pm

### Re: Smallest Measurable Wavelength

can confirm that wavelength less than 10^-15 m cannot be observed

Vanshika Bhushan 1A
Posts: 90
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:33 pm

### Re: Smallest Measurable Wavelength

The smallest measurable wavelength, as stated by Dr.Lavelle, is 10^-15 M because otherwise it can not be observed.