Wave-particle duality

How it is used

A key idea of quantum physics. Light shows its wave nature in diffraction and interference, and its particle nature in the photoelectric effect. For matter, the de Broglie wavelength λ = h/p gives the wavelength of a moving particle.

Example sentences

1. Electron diffraction is strong evidence for wave-particle duality.

2. The double-slit experiment is the classic way to introduce wave-particle duality.

Common collocations

• de Broglie wavelength
• wave nature
• particle nature
• double-slit experiment

Related terms

• photonA single packet, or quantum, of electromagnetic energy. Its energy depends only on the frequency of the radiation: E = hf, where h is Planck's constant.
• diffractionThe spreading out of a wave when it passes through a gap or around the edge of an obstacle. It is strongest when the gap is about the same size as the wavelength.
• interferenceThe effect produced when two or more waves meet and their displacements add together. They can reinforce each other (constructive) or cancel each other out (destructive).
• quantumThe smallest separate amount of a physical quantity, such as energy, that can be absorbed or emitted. Light energy, for example, comes in quanta called photons.
• photoelectric effectThe release of electrons from a metal surface when light of high enough frequency shines on it. It showed that light energy comes in packets called photons.

More terms: Quantum and Modern Physics

• energy level
• uncertainty principle
• special relativity