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Explore TopicChoose the Best Answer
A
Electrons behave only as particles, which explains interference patterns.
B
The wavefunction represents the probability of finding an electron, leading to constructive and destructive interference.
C
Interference is observed only when electrons are treated as classical particles.
D
Electrons do not exhibit wave-like behavior and thus cannot form interference patterns.
Understanding the Answer
Let's break down why this is correct
Answer
Electrons act both as particles and as waves; when a single electron is fired at a double‑slit screen, its associated wavefunction splits and travels through both slits simultaneously, forming a superposition. The two parts of the wavefunction overlap and interfere, creating regions where the waves add (constructive interference) and cancel (destructive interference). When the electron finally lands on the detector screen, the probability of finding it is given by the squared magnitude of the combined wavefunction, so over many electrons a bright‑dark interference pattern appears. Thus the interference pattern is a direct manifestation of the electron’s wave nature encoded in its wavefunction. In practice, one electron at a time still builds the pattern, showing that the wavefunction governs the statistical distribution of particle impacts.
Detailed Explanation
The wavefunction is a mathematical description of the electron’s probability amplitude. Other options are incorrect because The idea that electrons act only as particles ignores the fact that they also behave like waves; Interference is not a property of classical particles.
Key Concepts
wave-particle duality
electron interference
wavefunction
Topic
Wave-like Behavior of Electrons
Difficulty
hard level question
Cognitive Level
understand
Practice Similar Questions
Test your understanding with related questions
1
Question 1How does the wave-particle duality of electrons explain the phenomenon of electron interference observed in double-slit experiments, and how is this related to the wavefunction?
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2
Question 2Imagine you are conducting an experiment similar to the double-slit experiment with electrons. You notice that when electrons pass through the slits, they create an interference pattern on a detector screen. How does this observation relate to the wave-like behavior of electrons?
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3
Question 3Which of the following best explains the wave-like behavior of electrons as observed in the double-slit experiment?
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4
Question 4In the context of the wave-like behavior of electrons, the phenomenon observed in the double-slit experiment demonstrates that electrons can exhibit __________, behaving like waves rather than particles.
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5
Question 5In the double-slit experiment, why do electrons create an interference pattern instead of behaving like classical particles?
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6
Question 6Imagine you are conducting an experiment similar to the double-slit experiment with electrons. You notice that when electrons pass through the slits, they create an interference pattern on a detector screen. How does this observation relate to the wave-like behavior of electrons?
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7
Question 7Which of the following best explains the wave-like behavior of electrons as observed in the double-slit experiment?
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8
Question 8In the double-slit experiment, why do electrons create an interference pattern instead of behaving like classical particles?
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