# Consider an atom traveling at 1 % of the speed of light. The De-broglie wavelength is found to be...

## Question:

Consider an atom traveling at {eq}1 \ \% {/eq} of the speed of light. The De-broglie wavelength is found to be {eq}1.39 \times 10^3 \ pm {/eq}. What is the mass of this atom?

## Wave-Particle Duality of Matter:

In the development of quantum mechanics, the experimental observation of Davisson and Germer on x-ray diffraction patterns of electrons confirmed the wave-particle duality of matter. A beam of electrons passing through Aluminum foil exhibited a diffraction pattern. Louie de Broglie proposed the wave-particle duality for matter. Where:

{eq}\rm \lambda = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{mv} {/eq}

Where h is Planck's constant that is equal to {eq}\rm 6.626\times10^{-24} \frac{J}{s}{/eq}

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Rearrange the de Broglie equation for the mass of the atom,

{eq}\rm m = \frac{h}{ \lambda v} {/eq}

Given:

• {eq}\rm h = 6.626\times10^{-24}...

Wave-Particle Duality & the Davisson-Germer Experiment

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Chapter 23 / Lesson 2
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Wave-particle duality means that light and sub-atomic particles can also behave as waves, hence the duality. Study the definition of wave-particle duality, the Davisson-Germer Experiment, the de Broglie wavelength, and an example calculation.