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PhysicsDual Nature of Matter
The de Broglie wavelength of an electron in the second Bohr orbit of hydrogen atom is (given Bohr radius $a_0 = 0.529$ Å):
Options
1
$0.529$ Å
2
$2\pi \times 0.529$ Å
3
$4\pi \times 0.529$ Å
4
$2 \times 0.529$ Å
Correct Answer
$4\pi \times 0.529$ Å
Solution
1

de Broglie standing wave: $2\pi r_n = n\lambda$

$$\lambda = \frac{2\pi r_n}{n}$$

$n=2$: $r_2 = (2)^2 a_0 = 4a_0$

2
$$\lambda = \frac{2\pi \times 4a_0}{2} = 4\pi a_0 = 4\pi \times 0.529 \text{ Å}$$

$\approx 6.64$ Å $= 0.664$ nm

$\lambda = 2\pi r_n / n = 4\pi \times 0.529$ Å for $n=2$
de Broglie: circumference = $n$ wavelengths
Theory: Dual Nature of Matter
1. de Broglie Hypothesis

Louis de Broglie (1924): every moving particle has associated wavelength $\lambda = h/p = h/(mv)$. Inversely proportional to momentum. For macroscopic objects (large $m$): $\lambda$ negligibly small → no observable wave effects. For electrons, protons: $\lambda$ comparable to atomic distances → wave effects observable. Confirmed by Davisson and Germer (1927): electron beam diffracted by nickel crystal → electrons have wave nature.

2. Bohr Orbit and de Broglie

Bohr quantization $mvr = n\hbar$ is equivalent to standing wave condition $2\pi r = n\lambda$. Substituting $\lambda = h/(mv)$: $2\pi r = n \cdot h/(mv) \Rightarrow mvr = nh/(2\pi) = n\hbar$. The allowed orbits are those where an integer number of electron wavelengths fit exactly around the orbit (standing wave condition). This gives the wave-mechanical interpretation of Bohr's quantum condition.

3. Photoelectric Effect

Einstein (1905): light comes in packets (photons) of energy $E = h\nu$. Photoelectric equation: $KE_{max} = h\nu - \phi$ where $\phi = h\nu_0$ = work function. Threshold frequency $\nu_0$: minimum needed for emission. Stopping potential $V_0$: $eV_0 = KE_{max}$. Key: $KE_{max}$ depends on frequency (not intensity). More intense light → more electrons (not faster ones). Classical wave theory failed; quantum theory succeeded.

4. Electron Diffraction

Davisson-Germer experiment (1927): electron beam (54 eV) fired at nickel crystal. Sharp diffraction peaks at expected angles (consistent with $\lambda = h/p$). First direct proof of electron wave nature. G.P. Thomson (separately, 1927): electrons diffracted through thin gold foil → diffraction rings. Both Davisson and Thomson won Nobel Prize (1937). Modern electron microscopes exploit this: $\lambda \sim 0.004$ nm for 100 keV electrons → 1000× better resolution than light.

5. Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

$$\Delta x \cdot \Delta p \geq \frac{\hbar}{2}$$ Fundamental limit on simultaneous measurement of position and momentum. $\Delta E \cdot \Delta t \geq \hbar/2$ (energy-time uncertainty). Origin: wave nature of particles. To measure position precisely: need short wavelength photon → high energy → disturbs momentum. Not due to instrument limitations — fundamental to nature. Consequences: electrons cannot exist inside nucleus (confinement gives $\Delta p$ → $KE$ too large). Explains ground state energy of hydrogen (zero-point energy).

6. Wave-Particle Duality

Light shows: wave nature (interference, diffraction, polarization) and particle nature (photoelectric effect, Compton scattering). Electrons show: particle nature (definite mass, charge, deflection) and wave nature (diffraction). The nature that appears depends on the experiment. Complementarity principle (Bohr): wave and particle aspects cannot be observed simultaneously. Which-way information destroys interference pattern. Quantum eraser experiments: restoring interference by erasing which-way information.

7. Compton Scattering

When X-rays scatter off electrons: wavelength increases ($\Delta\lambda = \lambda_C(1-\cos\phi)$ where $\lambda_C = h/(m_e c) = 0.00243$ nm = Compton wavelength). Treated as photon-electron collision (billiard ball collision with relativistic energy-momentum conservation). Proved photons have momentum $p = h/\lambda = E/c$. Classic wave theory predicted no wavelength change → Compton scattering was decisive proof for photon particle nature of light.

8. Hydrogen Spectrum Summary

Energy levels $E_n = -13.6/n^2$ eV. Spectral series: Lyman ($n_f=1$, UV): $n_i = 2,3,4...$. Balmer ($n_f=2$, visible): $H_\alpha = 656$ nm (red), $H_\beta = 486$ nm (blue-green), $H_\gamma = 434$ nm (violet). Paschen ($n_f=3$, IR). Brackett ($n_f=4$). Pfund ($n_f=5$). Rydberg formula: $1/\lambda = R_H(1/n_f^2 - 1/n_i^2)$. For $n=\infty \to n=1$: ionization energy = 13.6 eV = 2.18×10⁻¹⁸ J.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does $2\pi r = n\lambda$ give Bohr quantization?
Substitute $\lambda = h/p = h/(mv)$: $2\pi r = n \cdot h/(mv) \Rightarrow mvr = nh/(2\pi) = n\hbar$. This is exactly Bohr's angular momentum quantization condition. So the two statements are mathematically equivalent: "angular momentum is quantized in multiples of $\hbar$" = "an integer number of de Broglie wavelengths fit around the orbit".
2. What is the de Broglie wavelength of a thermal neutron?
Thermal neutron at room temperature ($T = 300$ K) has average $KE = \frac{3}{2}k_BT = \frac{3}{2}(1.38\times10^{-23})(300) = 6.2\times10^{-21}$ J. Momentum $p = \sqrt{2mKE} = \sqrt{2(1.67\times10^{-27})(6.2\times10^{-21})} = 1.44\times10^{-24}$ kg·m/s. $\lambda = h/p = 6.63\times10^{-34}/1.44\times10^{-24} \approx 1.46$ Å. This is comparable to atomic spacings → thermal neutrons can diffract in crystals (neutron diffraction, used to study crystal structures).
3. How does de Broglie wavelength change with kinetic energy?
$\lambda = h/p = h/\sqrt{2mKE}$. So $\lambda \propto 1/\sqrt{KE}$. Doubling KE: $\lambda$ decreases by $\sqrt{2}$. For an electron accelerated through potential $V$: $KE = eV$. $\lambda = h/\sqrt{2meV}$. At 1 V: $\lambda \approx 12.3$ Å. At 100 V: $\lambda \approx 1.23$ Å. At 10,000 V (10 kV): $\lambda \approx 0.123$ Å. Electron microscopes use 100 kV–300 kV → $\lambda \sim 0.04$–$0.002$ Å.
4. What is the Bohr radius $a_0$?
$a_0 = \frac{\hbar^2}{m_e ke^2} = 0.529$ Å $= 0.529\times10^{-10}$ m. It is the most probable distance of the electron from the nucleus in the ground state ($n=1$) of hydrogen. In general: $r_n = n^2 a_0$ for hydrogen. For hydrogen-like ions with nuclear charge $Z$: $r_n = n^2 a_0/Z$. The Bohr radius sets the natural length scale for atomic physics. $a_0$ appears in many quantum mechanical calculations.
5. What is the significance of Davisson-Germer experiment?
The Davisson-Germer experiment (1927) provided the first direct experimental confirmation of de Broglie's hypothesis that electrons have wave nature. Davisson and Germer fired electrons (54 eV) at a nickel crystal surface and observed sharp intensity maxima at angles predicted by Bragg's law using $\lambda = h/p$. This showed electrons diffract like X-rays (which have similar wavelengths). The experiment won Davisson and G.P. Thomson (who did a similar experiment with thin foils) the Nobel Prize in 1937.
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