Wave Particle Duality

Question 1

What is wave particle duality?

Answer 1

It is the idea that matter and light behave both as a wave and a particle (have matter and wavelike properties)

Question 2

Explain how the wave property of light is established.

Answer 2

Through the reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarization, etc, of light.

Question 3

How is the wave nature of an electron established?

Answer 3

Through the diffraction of electrons. Experiment is set up with an electron gun firing at a graphite screen in a vacuum tube.

Increasing potential difference of gun leads to increasing velocity which leads to more narrow diffraction rings at screen

Question 4

How is the particle property of light established?

Answer 4

Through the absorption and emission of light.

Question 5

How is the particle nature of matter (electrons) established?

Answer 5

Through the photoelectric and Compton effects.

Question 6

State De Broglie’s theory.

Answer 6

Particles and other material objects may possess wavelike properties:

λ = h/p = h/mv
p = momentum = mass (m) × velocity (v)
h = Planck’s constant = 6.6×10^-34