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VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Physics => Topic started by: cjw on October 26, 2010, 09:53:54 pm

Title: light and matter/ wave-particle duality question
Post by: cjw on October 26, 2010, 09:53:54 pm

This is a frequent question yet one which is hard to decide which part of the theory the examiners are "requiring" in the answer...

Describe how the wave-particle duality of electrons can be used to explain the quantized energy levels of the atom? could someone please help

thanks

Title: Re: light and matter/ wave-particle duality question
Post by: kyzoo on October 26, 2010, 09:58:05 pm

According to the wave model, electrons can establish a stable orbit if and only if the electrons sets up a standing wave within the orbit. This can only occur when the orbiit circumference is an whole number muiltiple of the electrn's de Broglie wavelength, a property that the electrno possesses due to wave-particle duality. Thus the electtron can only undergo specific orbits of quantitized circumference values. Each specific orbit correspond to a quanttiized energy level. Thus the wave-particle duality of electrons can be used to explain the quantitized energy levels of the atom.