De Broglie reasoned that for the electron in the hydrogen atom to behave as a stable circular wave, the circumference of the electron's orbit must be ________
A)equal to the wavelength of the electron.
B)an integer multiple of the electron's wavelength.
C)a half integer multiple of the electron's wavelength.
D)twice the wavelength of the electron.
E)twice the diameter of the orbit.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to de Broglie's hypothesis, the wavelength of a particle is related to its momentum, and in the case of an electron in orbit around the nucleus, its momentum is related to the circumference of its orbit. To form a stable circular wave, the circumference of the orbit must be an integer multiple of the electron's wavelength. Therefore, the correct answer is B, "an integer multiple of the electron's wavelength."

De Broglie Reasoned That for the Electron in the Hydrogen