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Wave particle Duality. Principles of Physics. Is light a wave or a particle??. Isaac Newton said light is a particle Christian Huygens (explained diffraction) said light is a wave Thomas Young (proved light diffracts and interferes) said light is a wave
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Wave particle Duality Principles of Physics
Is light a wave or a particle?? • Isaac Newton said light is a particle • Christian Huygens (explained diffraction) said light is a wave • Thomas Young (proved light diffracts and interferes) said light is a wave • James Clerk Maxwell (related electricity and magnetism through a set of complex equations) said light is electromagnetic radiation (wave) • Hertz (produced radio waves) supported Maxwell • Einstein said light is a particle
Einstein’s Particle theory • Light is made up of concentrated bundles of electromagnetic energy, which are also called quanta of electromagnetic energy
Quantum • An elemental unit • Smallest amount of something • Plural = quanta Example: Money – Each denomination is a whole number multiple of the smallest Smallest denomination: penny 1 dollar = 100 pennies 1 quarter = 25 pennies
Quantum Example • Mass of a pure gold ring = whole number multiple of the mass of a gold atom • Therefore, gold is quantized • In fact, all matter is quantized
Photons • A quantum of light is called a photon • Photons move at one speed: 300,000,000 m/s • Light is not emitted continuously • Instead it is a stream of photons each with its own energy
Photoelectric Effect • Proof of the existence of photons • Einstein won the Nobel Prize for this • Electrons can be ejected from certain materials when light shines on them • Energy is transferred from the photon to an electron
Photoelectric Effect • Higher frequency allows the ejected electrons to have more energy when they leave • Higher amplitude (brighter) light allows more electrons to be ejected, but has nothing to do with the energy of the individual electrons
Photoelectric Effect Photoelectric Effect - Light, Quantum Mechanics, Photons - PhET
Uses of Photoelectric Effect • Solar power • Photons eject electrons from photosensitive materials. The electrons collect and flow in wires creating a current) • Electric eyes (they can be used to open doors automatically) • A beam of light shines across an opening to a detector. The beam of light maintains a current until it is blocked by you coming to the door. When the detector senses the change in current it open the door.
Wave Model vs Particle Model Wave Particle • Reflection _______ _______ • Refraction _______ _______ • Diffraction _______ _______ • Interference _______ _______ • Photoelectric Effect _______ _______ X X X X X X X
Particles as Waves • All matter and energy have both wavelike and particle-like properties • Wavelike properties of matter are not normally seen unless you look at very fine details • Ordinary-size objects have wavelengths that are much too small to be measured. Therefore, a batter does not have to worry about the wavelength of a baseball.