The de Broglie wavelength of a particle is given by: \[ \lambda = \frac{h}{m v} \] where:
\( h \) is Planck’s constant,
\( m \) is the mass of the particle,
\( v \) is the velocity of the particle.
Since all three particles (electron, proton, and deuteron) have the same speed, the wavelength is inversely proportional to their masses: \[ \lambda \propto \frac{1}{m} \] The masses of the particles are:
\( m_e \) (electron) is the smallest,
\( m_p \) (proton) is larger,
\( m_d \) (deuteron) is the largest.
Thus, their wavelengths follow the relation: \[ \lambda_e > \lambda_p > \lambda_d \] Hence, the correct answer is (2).
If Bohr's quantization postulate (angular momentum $= \dfrac{nh}{2\pi}$) is a basic law of nature, it should be equally valid for the case of planetary motion also. Why, then, do we never speak of quantization of orbits of planets around the Sun? Explain.