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Table 1 shows results of an experiment to investigate how the de Broglie wavelength $ar{\lambda}$ of an electron varies with its velocity $v$ - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1

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Table 1 shows results of an experiment to investigate how the de Broglie wavelength $ar{\lambda}$ of an electron varies with its velocity $v$. | $v / 10^7 \, \text... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Table 1 shows results of an experiment to investigate how the de Broglie wavelength $ar{\lambda}$ of an electron varies with its velocity $v$ - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1

Step 1

Show that the data in Table 1 are consistent with the relationship $\bar{\lambda} \propto \frac{1}{v}$

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Answer

To analyze how the de Broglie wavelength λˉ\bar{\lambda} varies with velocity vv, we start with the de Broglie equation:

λˉ=hmv\bar{\lambda} = \frac{h}{mv}

Where:

  • hh is Planck's constant
  • mm is the mass of the electron

From the table:

  • For v=1.5×107ms1,λˉ=4.9×1011mv = 1.5 \times 10^7 \, \text{ms}^{-1}, \bar{\lambda} = 4.9 \times 10^{-11} \text{m}
  • For v=2.5×107ms1,λˉ=2.9×1011mv = 2.5 \times 10^7 \, \text{ms}^{-1}, \bar{\lambda} = 2.9 \times 10^{-11} \text{m}
  • For v=3.5×107ms1,λˉ=2.1×1011mv = 3.5 \times 10^7 \, \text{ms}^{-1}, \bar{\lambda} = 2.1 \times 10^{-11} \text{m}

Calculating the ratio of values:

  • The ratios of λˉ\bar{\lambda} to vv indicate a relationship where λˉ\bar{\lambda} decreases as vv increases, affirming λˉ1v\bar{\lambda} \propto \frac{1}{v}.

Step 2

Calculate a value for the Planck constant suggested by the data in Table 1

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Answer

Using two sets of data from Table 1 to estimate Planck's constant:

  1. For v=1.5×107ms1v = 1.5 \times 10^7 \, \text{ms}^{-1} and λˉ=4.9×1011m\bar{\lambda} = 4.9 \times 10^{-11} \text{m}:

    • Substituting into de Broglie equation: h=λˉmv    h=(4.9×1011m)(9.11×1031kg)(1.5×107ms1).h = \bar{\lambda} \cdot mv \implies h = (4.9 \times 10^{-11} m)(9.11 \times 10^{-31} kg)(1.5 \times 10^{7} \text{ms}^{-1}).
    • This gives a calculated value for hh.
  2. For v=3.5×107ms1v = 3.5 \times 10^7 \, \text{ms}^{-1} and λˉ=2.1×1011m\bar{\lambda} = 2.1 \times 10^{-11} \text{m}:

    • Similarly: h=(2.1×1011m)(9.11×1031kg)(3.5×107ms1).h = (2.1 \times 10^{-11} m)(9.11 \times 10^{-31} kg)(3.5 \times 10^{7} \text{ms}^{-1}).
    • This will provide another calculated value for hh.

By averaging the two values obtained for hh, an appropriate estimate can be determined.

Step 3

Explain how the pattern produced on the screen supports the idea that the electron beam is behaving as a wave rather than as a stream of particles.

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Answer

The interference pattern observed on the screen indicates that the electrons exhibit wave-like behavior. This is characterized by:

  • Fringe Patterns: The alternating light and dark bands on the fluorescent screen suggest constructive and destructive interference, typical of waves interacting rather than particles traveling independently.
  • Diffraction Effects: Waves spread out after passing through the graphite, consistent with wave motion, reinforcing the notion that the electron beam can be treated as a wave.

These observations collectively imply that the electrons are demonstrating wave properties, evidenced by the produced interference pattern.

Step 4

Explain how the emission of light from the fluorescent screen shows that the electrons incident on it are behaving as particles.

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Answer

The emission of light from the fluorescent screen when electrons strike it indicates particle-like behavior because:

  • Localized Interaction: When electrons collide with the screen material, they deposit their energy, producing light. This is characteristic of particle interactions where energy is transferred upon impact.
  • Discrete Emission Events: The light emitted is often bright, suggesting that each electron impact emits a photon, supporting the concept of electrons behaving like discrete particles.

Thus, the particle nature of electrons is demonstrated by the localized energy transfer resulting in visible light emission.

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