Matter Waves

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Matter Waves Noun

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[mat-er wayvs]

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Matter Waves

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The wave-like behavior exhibited by material particles, which possess a wavelength related to their momentum and can show diffraction.

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Example: This diagram uses a vibrating string as an analogy for a matter wave. A confined particle, like an electron, can only form specific wave patterns (n=1, 2, 3), representing its quantized energy levels.

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Momentum Noun

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[moh-men-tuhm]

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Momentum

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A physical quantity defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity, indicating its quantity of motion.

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Example: The image shows a baseball and a bowling ball moving at the same speed, illustrating that momentum depends on mass and speed.

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Photon Noun

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[foh-ton]

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Photon

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A discrete particle representing a quantum of light or other electromagnetic radiation, possessing both energy and momentum.

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Example: This diagram shows that light can act as both a wave and a particle, called a photon, which is the core idea of matter waves.

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de Broglie Wavelength Noun

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[duh broy-lee wayv-length]

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de Broglie Wavelength

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The wavelength associated with a moving particle, calculated as Planck's constant divided by the particle's momentum.

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Example: This image shows that moving particles, like electrons, also behave like waves. The formula calculates the particle's wavelength based on its mass and speed.

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Planck's Constant Noun

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[plahnks kon-stuhnt]

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Planck's Constant

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A fundamental physical constant, denoted by 'h', that is central to the mathematical formulations of quantum mechanics.

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Example: This image shows Planck's equation (E=hν), which relates a photon's energy (E) to its frequency (ν) using Planck's constant (h).

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Electron Noun

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[ih-lek-tron]

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Electron

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A stable, negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits an atom's nucleus and can exhibit wavelike properties.

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Example: This diagram shows an electron losing energy and spiraling toward the nucleus, a problem that the concept of matter waves helps to solve.

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Electron Diffraction Noun

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[ih-lek-tron dih-frak-shuhn]

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Electron Diffraction

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The phenomenon of electrons bending and spreading when passing through a crystal lattice, which confirms their wavelike nature.

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Example: This diagram shows an electron beam hitting a crystal and scattering like waves, proving that particles like electrons can have wave properties.

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Potential Difference Noun

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[puh-ten-shuhl dif-er-uhns]

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Potential Difference

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The work done per unit of charge to move a charge between two points in an electric field, measured in volts.

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Example: This diagram shows a potential difference (V) across a light bulb, where one side has a higher electrical potential and the other has a lower potential.

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Kinetic Energy Noun

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[ki-net-ik en-er-jee]

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Kinetic Energy

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The energy that an object possesses due to its motion, calculated as one-half its mass times its velocity squared.

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Example: This image shows kinetic energy as the energy of motion, where a leg kicks a soccer ball, causing it to move with speed.

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Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle Noun

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[hy-zuhn-burg uhn-sur-tuhn-tee prin-suh-puhl]

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Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

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The principle stating there is a fundamental limit to the precision with which a particle's position and momentum can be simultaneously known.

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Example: This diagram shows that to know a particle's position more precisely (the compact 'wave packet'), you must combine many simple waves, making its momentum less precise.