Read the following statements about the de Broglie hypothesis and wave-particle duality:
1. As a particle’s momentum increases, its associated de Broglie wavelength becomes shorter.
2. The de Broglie wavelength is significant for macroscopic objects moving at high speeds.
3. The wave-particle duality applies to photons but not to material particles.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer: Option 1 (1 only)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct because, according to the de-Bromplei wavelength λ = h/p (where p is momentum), as momentum increases, wavelength decreases.
Statement 2 is incorrect because for macroscopic objects, the de-Bromplei wavelength is extremely small, so its effect is negligible.Statement 3 is incorrect because wave-particle duality applies not only to photons but also to all material particles (such as electrons).
Additional Facts:
According to the de-Bromplei hypothesis, every moving particle has a wave associated with it.
Electron diffraction is experimental evidence of this theory.
This theory is an important foundation of quantum mechanics.
Possible Questions for the Upcoming Exam:
What is the formula for the de-Bromplei wavelength?
(Answer: λ = h/p)
What does wave-particle duality apply to?
(Answer: All particles)
What is electron diffraction evidence of?
(Answer: Wave-particle duality)