(a) What is meant by the wave-particles duality of matter? (b) mention one physical phenomenon, in each case, that can be explained in terms of the wave nat...
Question 1 Report
(a) What is meant by the wave-particles duality of matter?
(b) mention one physical phenomenon, in each case, that can be explained in terms of the wave nature and particle nature of light.
Answer Details
(a) Wave-particle duality of matter
Wave-particle duality is the concept that matter (and radiation) can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, depending on the experiment used to observe it. A moving particle of momentum p has an associated (de Broglie) wavelength \[ \lambda = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{mv} \] so that the same entity behaves as a stream of particles in some situations and as a wave in others.
(b) One phenomenon for each nature of light
- Wave nature: interference (or diffraction, or polarization) of light.
- Particle nature: the photoelectric effect (the Compton effect is also acceptable).
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
