Wave particle duality

What is the concept of light quanta?

Light quanta refer to the idea that light is made up of discrete packets of energy called photons. Each photon has an energy proportional to its frequency, given by the equation E=hνE = h \nuE=hν, where EEE is energy, hhh is Planck’s constant, and ν\nuν is frequency.

How does the photoelectric effect support the particle nature of light?

The photoelectric effect shows that electrons are ejected from a metal surface only when light above a certain frequency is shone on it. This indicates that light transfers energy in discrete packets (photons), supporting its particle nature.

What is the significance of Planck’s constant in light quanta?

Planck’s constant (hhh) is a fundamental constant that defines the energy of a photon as E=hνE = h \nuE=hν. It marks the smallest possible unit of energy transfer, essential to the concept of quantization in light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

What is demonstrated by the double-slit experiment?

The double-slit experiment demonstrates the wave nature of light by producing an interference pattern on a screen when light passes through two slits. This pattern shows that light waves interfere constructively and destructively.

How does the double-slit experiment reveal wave-particle duality?

The double-slit experiment reveals wave-particle duality by showing that even when photons are sent through the slits one at a time, they still form an interference pattern over time, indicating that each photon behaves as a wave.

What happens when a detector is used to observe which slit a photon passes through?

When a detector is used to observe which slit a photon passes through, the interference pattern disappears, and the photons behave like particles, hitting the screen in two distinct bands. This demonstrates the impact of observation on quantum behavior.

Why is wave-particle duality significant in quantum mechanics?

Wave-particle duality is significant because it challenges classical physics concepts, showing that particles like photons and electrons can exhibit both wave and particle properties, depending on how they are observed.