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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?Show answer
Light shows wave behaviour in interference and diffraction (the double slit, the grating) and particle behaviour in the photoelectric effect (photons of energy ). 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?Show answer
In 1924 de Broglie proposed that if light can behave as particles, then matter can behave as waves. Any particle of momentum has an associated wavelength:
What is evidence?Show answer
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?Show answer
State the de Broglie relation and explain what it tells us about matter. [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Find the de Broglie wavelength of a proton (mass ) moving at (). [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why a moving car does not show observable wave behaviour. [2 marks]
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