Frank-Hertz experiment...

[iao123]

Someone help please!

Does the frank-hertz experiment support the wave or particle theory of matter and why?

[mark_alec]

I don't remember ever having to look at that in VCE physics, but I would say it is a poor question. The Frank-Hertz experiment demonstrates that electrons are in discrete energy orbits (Bohr model.)

When you get to quantum mechanics, the distinction between waves and particles disappears, as everything is modelled by a wavefunction , but can still have particle like properties.

[yungar]

The experiment showed that when electrons are fired through a low pressure gas, although all energies can be lost, maxima intensities occured corresponding to electron energy level differences. This shows that electrons being bombarded can interact ( most likely with thompson collisions) and excite electrons in atoms to a higher energy level. Obviously this supports the quantised energy level theory for electrons in atoms (Bohr's) and hence it might support the wave model for MATTER. Unfortunately it is unconnected to light and thus doesn't support either wave of particle theory for light.