Matter is a Wave Does not apply to very large objects I.e. - things bigger than an atom A baseball has a wavelength of about m when moving 30 m/s An electron moving at 30 m/s has a wavelength of cm It is big enough to measure for tiny particles
de Broglie equation Describes wave characteristics of particles momentum = massvelocity = m v = Planck’s constant momentum = h m v mass in kilograms!!! h = x Js J=kgm 2 /s 2
Example problem Calculate the wavelength ( ) of an electron (e - ) traveling with a velocity of 5.97 x10 6 m/s. = h m v = x Js 9.11 x kg 5.97 x10 6 m/s = 1.22 x m = 1.22 Å = nm Angstrom = m m e- = 9.11 x g