A question on wave-particle duality

In summary, electrons exhibit wave-particle duality, meaning they can behave as either a particle or a wave depending on the method of observation. This is supported by De Broglie's theory, which states that a particle of mass m moving with velocity v can also act as a wave with a wavelength of λ = h/mv. While it is true that the wavelength decreases as the mass increases, it has been argued that everything exhibits this duality, making the term "wave/particle duality" a misnomer. The concept of duality was created by humans and only applied when we thought these behaviors were separate.
  • #1
rock.freak667
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Electrons are said to exhibit wave-particle duality because depending on the method of observation it acts as either a particle or wave.

But according to De Broglie waves: A particle of mass,m, moving with velocity,v, acts like a wave of wavelength,[itex]\lambda[/itex]. Where [itex]\lambda = \frac{h}{mv}[/itex].
But if this is true, then why doesn't everything exhibit wave-particle duality?
 
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  • #2
AFAIK everything does. as m increases [itex]\lambda[/itex] is smaller.
 
  • #3
Right, everything does, and that's why it has been argued that "wave/particle duality" is a kind of historical misnomer. The disunity was our own invention right from the start, so when you find unity in things, you only call it "duality" if you used to think they were different!
 

1. What is wave-particle duality?

Wave-particle duality is the concept in quantum mechanics that states that all particles, including subatomic particles, can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior. This means that particles can have properties of both waves and particles, depending on the experiment being conducted.

2. How was the concept of wave-particle duality discovered?

The concept of wave-particle duality was first discovered through the famous double-slit experiment conducted by Thomas Young in the early 1800s. This experiment showed that particles, such as electrons, could behave like waves and exhibit interference patterns, rather than just traveling in straight lines like traditional particles.

3. What are some examples of particles exhibiting wave-like behavior?

Some examples of particles exhibiting wave-like behavior include electrons, protons, and photons. These particles have been observed to exhibit interference patterns, diffraction, and other wave-like behaviors in various experiments.

4. How does wave-particle duality impact our understanding of the universe?

Wave-particle duality challenges our traditional understanding of the universe and forces us to rethink the nature of matter and energy. It also plays a crucial role in quantum mechanics and has led to the development of many important theories and technologies.

5. Is it possible for a particle to exhibit both wave and particle behavior simultaneously?

No, a particle cannot exhibit both wave and particle behaviors simultaneously. The behavior of a particle is determined by the experimental setup and cannot be observed as both a wave and a particle at the same time. This is known as the principle of complementarity in quantum mechanics.

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