SACE Stage 2 Physics

Wave Behaviour of Particles

De Broglies Postulate
De Broglie argued that if photons can behave as particles then
particles can behave as waves.
Where;

h
p

p = momentum of particle (mv)

h = Plancks constant
= wavelength of particle

De Broglies Postulate
Cricket ball;

m 0.5kg v 1ms 1
p mv 0.5 1 0.5sN
h

p
6.63 10 34

0.5
1.3 10 33 m (very small wavelength)

De Broglies Postulate
Electron;

m 9.1 x 10 -31 kg v 10 6 ms -1
p mv 9.1 x 10 - 25 kg m s -1
h

p
34

6.63 10

9.110 25
7.3 x 10 -10 m
This wavelength is comparable in size to an X-ray wavelength.

De Broglies Postulate
It would appear that if the wave properties of particles are to be observed
we must look toward very tiny particles with small momentum. These may
produce large enough wavelengths,

h
p

for wave effects to be observed. The existence of wave properties has

been confirmed by experiment.

DavissonGermer
Experiment
Electrons have wavelength in the same order as X-rays. These
can then be diffracted in the reflection or transmission of a beam
of electrons by a crystal.

DavissonGermer
Experiment
A parallel beam of constant energy electrons was incident
normal to the surface of a Nickel crystal. Some electrons
were reflected back from the crystal. The number reflected
at angle was measured with a detector consisting of a
plate P behind another plate D. A retarding voltage V R a
little less than the accelerating voltage V allowed only
electrons reflected from the crystal with little energy loss to
produce a current in meter M. Low energy electrons were
used.
This ensured electrons would be reflected from the surface
of the Nickel as low energy electrons lose energy rapidly in
a solid.

DavissonGermer
Experiment
Constructive interference for
one particular angle
dsin = N
P

V = 54 volt
electron gun

+
D
electrons

VR
+

DavissonGermer
Experiment
Energy of incident electrons

E 54eV
19

54 1.6 10 J
1

2
18
mv

8
.
64

10
J
2
18
2

8
.
64

10
2
v
9.11 10 31

v 18.968 1012
4.355 10 ms
6

DavissonGermer
Experiment
Momentum of the electron,

p mv
9.11 10 31 4.355 106
3.968 10 24 sN

DavissonGermer
Experiment
de Broglie wavelength of the electrons,

p
6.63 10 34

3.968 10 24
10
1.67 10 m
0.167 nm

DavissonGermer
Experiment
Reinforcement occurs when,

d sin m
First order reinforcement when m=1,

d sin
2.15 10 10 sin(50) (d nickel)
1.65 10 -10 m
0.165nm

DavissonGermer
Experiment
Conclusion:
Close correspondence for the wavelength of an electron obtained
experimentally and theoretically using de Broglies hypothesis
provided strong evidence for the validity of the de Broglie thesis.

Application Electron
Microscope
The human eye can see things up to about 0.1mm un-aided.
Magnifyning glasses and microscopes have enabled to see things
(resolve) that are much smaller.
Violet light has a wavelength of 4 x 10-7m and only the best light
microscopes can enable us to see comparable sized objects.
Need a wavelength a lot smaller.
Using de Broglies ideas, physicists used the wavelength of an
electron to view these very small objects. Instead of glass lenses,
magnetic lenses are used.

Application Electron
Microscope