de Broglie wavelength
What de Broglie wavelength means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of de Broglie wavelength
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Reference: AQA
Given by the relation λ = h/p, which links an electron's momentum to its wavelength and supports the wave description of particles.
Given by λ = h/p, it links the electron momentum to the diffraction pattern, and increasing the accelerating voltage decreases it.
A particle of momentum p has this wavelength given by λ = h/p, so momentum and wavelength are inversely proportional.
The wavelength λ = h/p of an electron, where p is its momentum gained by acceleration through a potential difference.
Increasing electron energy decreases it, so the pattern narrows and the first minimum moves to a smaller angle.
λ = h/p, which relates the electron momentum to the spacing of the diffraction pattern.
Topics that use de Broglie wavelength
- Nuclear radius (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Wave-particle duality (AQA A-Level)
- Wave–particle duality (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Atomic spacing
- Closest approach
- Development of scientific models
- distance of closest approach
- Electron diffraction
- Experimental evidence
- first minimum
- Momentum
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