Why is the following situation impossible? After learning about de Broglie’s hypothesis that material particles of momentum p move as waves with wavelength λ = h/p, an 80-kg student has grown concerned about being diffracted when passing through a doorway of width w = 75 cm. Assume significant diffraction occurs when the width of the diffraction aperture is less than ten times the wavelength of the wave being diffracted. Together with his classmates, the student performs precision experiments and finds that he does indeed experience measurable diffraction.

Why is the following situation impossible? After learning about de Broglie’s hypothesis that material particles of momentum p move as waves with wavelength λ = h/p, an 80-kg student has grown concerned about being diffracted when passing through a doorway of width w = 75 cm. Assume significant diffraction occurs when the width of the diffraction aperture is less than ten times the wavelength of the wave being diffracted. Together with his classmates, the student performs precision experiments and finds that he does indeed experience measurable diffraction.