Matter Waves

School blocks YouTube? Use file below.

Wave Nature of Electrons
- whatthebleep.com

showmethephysics.com

D) Matter Waves - ALL moving particles have wave properties.

Louis de Broglie

λ = h/p = h/mv

p = momentum of the particle

λ - called DeBroglie Wavelength

h - Planck's constant

The wavelength of ordinary objects are insignificant because
their masses are too large.

BUT…

Electrons are small enough

to have a significant
wave behavior.

1927- Diffraction and interference patterns were observed for electrons.

A scientist passed electrons through tiny double slits and observed interference patterns

Where did they get slits small enough
and close enough?

Pattern produced when a beam of

electrons pass through a double slit

When you pass a beam of electrons through the slits of a crystal you get an interference pattern

Final Summary

IS LIGHT A WAVE OR A PARTICLE?

Light behaves like a
wave in interaction
with large objects

and like particle with very small objects
like electrons

- Douglas Hofstadter