3.2.2.4 Wave-particle duality Flashcards
(10 cards)
What does the photoelectric effect suggest about light?
That electromagnetic waves exhibit particle-like behaviour
What is evidence that particles have wave-like properties?
Electron diffraction shows that particles such as electrons can diffract
What is wave-particle duality?
The idea that particles can show wave properties and waves can show particle properties
What equation gives the de Broglie wavelength of a particle?
lambda equals h divided by mv where h is Planck constant and mv is momentum
What happens to de Broglie wavelength if momentum increases?
Wavelength decreases because lambda is inversely proportional to momentum
What happens to the amount of diffraction when particle momentum increases?
Diffraction becomes less because the wavelength becomes smaller
Why is electron diffraction important?
It provides direct evidence that particles such as electrons have wave properties
What does peer review mean in physics?
The process by which new findings are checked and validated by other scientists
Why is peer review important in physics?
To ensure conclusions are reliable reproducible and based on valid evidence
How has our understanding of matter changed over time?
Ideas such as wave-particle duality have developed through experimental evidence and scientific consensus
