By Omer

Learning Objectives: Understand de Broglies wave-particle duality

hypothesis
Know that the equation =

links a particle property with a wave property and can be used to calculate the de Broglie wavelength of a particle Know that the accelerating voltage of an electron is linked to its de Broglie wavelength by =
2

Light as a wave
Diffraction and interference of light can only be

explained by waves For example, in the diffraction of waves as they pass through the slit, if the light was acting as a particle the light particles would not pass through the gap if they were too big, or just pass straight through and the beam would be unchanged

Light as a particle
Results from photoelectric effect experiment can only

be explained by thinking of light as a series of particlelike photons If a photon of light is a discrete bundle of energy, then it can interact with an electron in a one-to-one way All the energy in the photon is given to one electron

Wave-particle duality theory

Wave-particle duality is the exhibition of both wave-

like and particle-like properties by a single entity The photoelectric effect and diffraction show that light behaves as a wave and a particle The de Broglie equation relate both a wave property to a moving particle property (momentum, p=mv)
The equation is =

In the equation p is momentum in 1 In the equation h is Plancks constant (6.63 1034 ) In the equation is de Broglie wavelength in m

Where did = ?
We know = from AS Physics We also know = 2 from Einstein's famous

equation So therefore you could say that 2 = If we know that momentum is To get momentum from this equation you divide both sides to give =

Rearranging = to

The input this into = =

by swapping with

Electron diffraction
Electrons acting as waves we seen as obscured when de

Broglie first mentioned it in his PhD thesis However later on diffraction patterns of electrons were seen Diffraction patterns of electrons show that electrons must have wave-like nature, even though it is a particle This showed that de Broglie was correct in suggesting that particles like electrons should be expected to show wave-like properties

Electron diffraction experiment

Electron diffraction experiment

In wave theory, the spread of the lines in he diffraction

pattern increases if the wavelength of the wave is greater In electron diffraction experiments a slower electron gives widely spaced rings Increasing the electron speed and the diffraction pattern circles squash together towards the middle
This fits in with the de Broglie equation, =
2

As you can see if velocity is higher, the wavelength is

shorter and the spread of lines is smaller

Question 1
An electron of 9.11 1031 is fired from an

electron gun with de Broglie wavelength of 1.07 1010 . What anode voltage is needed to produce this velocity?
2

Hint: - Use =

Answer 1
Start off by rearranging =
So =
2

so it gives =

2 22

(6.631034 )2 2 9.111031 (1.601019 )(1.071019 )2

Therefore V = 131.70 132 (to 3s.f.)

Question 2
Electron with a wavelength of 2.13 1010 are

diffracted as they pass between atoms in a crystal lattice. Estimate the velocity of the electrons.

Answer 2
Start off by using =

and rearrange so is the subject,

Use your knowledge to know that if velocity is needed the

use of = is needed

Swap p for mv to give =

Rearrange this equation to make v the subject =

Substitute in = 2.13 1010 , = 6.63 10

34

= 9.11

1031

To give an answer of

6.631034 to get: - = 9.111031 2.131010 3,400,000 1 (to 2s.f.)

Js, and

Back to learning objectives: We now understand de Broglies wave-particle duality

hypothesis (light particle (photoelectric effect) or wave (diffraction)

We know that the equation =

links a particle property with a wave property and can be used to calculate the de Broglie wavelength of a particle Finally, we also know that the accelerating voltage of an electron is linked to its de Broglie wavelength by = (slower electron gives widely spaced rings)
2

Thank you for listening