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Quick questions on Wave-particle duality explained: H2 Physics Modern Physics

6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is the dual nature of light?
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Light shows wave behaviour in interference and diffraction (the double slit, the grating) and particle behaviour in the photoelectric effect (photons of energy hfhf). Neither model alone is complete: light is described as a wave when it propagates and as particles when it exchanges energy with matter. This is wave-particle duality.
What is the de Broglie hypothesis?
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In 1924 de Broglie proposed that if light can behave as particles, then matter can behave as waves. Any particle of momentum pp has an associated wavelength:
What is evidence?
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The decisive evidence is electron diffraction. When a beam of electrons passes through a thin crystal or graphite film, it produces a diffraction pattern of rings, exactly as X-rays do. Diffraction is a wave phenomenon, so this proves electrons have a wave nature. The ring spacing matches the de Broglie wavelength calculated from the electrons' momentum, confirming the relation quantitatively.
What is q1?
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State the de Broglie relation and explain what it tells us about matter. [2 marks]
What is q2?
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Find the de Broglie wavelength of a proton (mass 1.67×1027 kg1.67 \times 10^{-27}\ \text{kg}) moving at 2.0×104 m s12.0 \times 10^4\ \text{m s}^{-1} (h=6.63×1034 J sh = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}\ \text{J s}). [2 marks]
What is q3?
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Explain why a moving car does not show observable wave behaviour. [2 marks]

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