Give three observations in support of de Broglie's assumption that moving particles behave like waves

Answer Details

De Broglie proposed that a moving particle of momentum \(p = mv\) has an associated wavelength \(\lambda = \dfrac{h}{mv}\). The following observations support this wave nature of moving particles:

• Electron diffraction (Davisson and Germer): a beam of electrons directed at a crystal (nickel) produced a diffraction pattern of maxima and minima, just as X-rays do. Diffraction is a wave property, so the electrons behaved as waves.
• Thomson's experiment: when a beam of fast electrons was passed through a thin metal foil, it produced concentric diffraction rings on a photographic plate, similar to those given by X-rays passing through the same foil.
• The electron microscope: its successful operation relies on the very short wavelength associated with fast-moving electrons; the electron beam can be focused and diffracted like a wave, which is why it resolves far finer detail than a light microscope.

(A further supporting observation is the diffraction of other particles such as neutrons and protons by crystals.)