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Unit 4: Revolutions in modern physics

Quick questions on Wave-particle duality and matter waves: QCE Physics Unit 4

4short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is confusing $E = hf$ with $E_k = p^2/ $?
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Photons use $E = hf$ and $\lambda = c/f$. Matter uses $p = \sqrt{2 m E_k}$ for non-relativistic particles.
What is mass in grams?
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Always use kg in $\lambda = h/p$.
What is treating matter as either particles or waves?
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Both descriptions are needed. The electron is a quantum object that exhibits particle properties in detection (a click) and wave properties in propagation (diffraction).
What is forgetting the macroscopic-scale collapse?
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The wave nature exists for all matter but is observable only for atomic-scale particles in atomic-scale environments. Macroscopic objects do not show measurable diffraction.

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