Related Formula
λ = (h)/(p)$$\lambda = \frac{h}{p}$$
p = m v = m (at)$$p = m v = m (at)$$
a = (e E)/(m) = e σ2mε₀$$a = \frac{e E}{m} = \frac{e \sigma^{\prime}}{2m\varepsilon_0}$$
where,
λ$\lambda$ = de-Broglie wavelength
p$p$ = linear momentum
a$a$ = acceleration of the electron in the uniform electric field E$E$
t$t$ = time elapsed since release
Core Logic
Since the electron starts from rest (u = 0$u = 0$), its velocity v$v$ at any time t$t$ is:
v = at$v = at$
Thus, the momentum is p = m v = m a t$p = m v = m a t$.
Substitute this into the de-Broglie wavelength equation:
λ(t) = (h)/(m a t)$$\lambda(t) = \frac{h}{m a t}$$
Now, compute the rate of change of wavelength with respect to time:
(dλ)/(dt) = (d)/(dt) ( (h)/(ma) t⁻¹ ) = -(h)/(ma) t⁻²$$\frac{d\lambda}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{h}{ma} t^{-1} \right) = -\frac{h}{ma} t^{-2}$$
This shows that:
| (dλ)/(dt) | ∝ (1)/(t²)$$\left| \frac{d\lambda}{dt} \right| \propto \frac{1}{t^2}$$
Comparing this with the given statement (varies inversely as nth$n^{\text{th}}$ power of time):
n = 2$n = 2$
Pattern Recognition
Sees: "Uniform electric field" + "de-Broglie wavelength rate of change" → Wavelength λ ∝ t⁻¹$\lambda \propto t^{-1}$.
Shortcut: Since λ ∝ (1)/(t)$\lambda \propto \frac{1}{t}$, its derivative must scale as (dλ)/(dt) ∝ (1)/(t²)$\frac{d\lambda}{dt} \propto \frac{1}{t^2}$. Thus, n = 2$n = 2$ directly from basic power-rule differentiation! ✓
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
Class 12 Physics: Electrostatics