1. Module 6

1.2. In this Module

In This Module

Module 6—Wave-Particle Duality and Quantum Physics

 

In This Module

 

In Module 6 evidence related to the quantum model and wave-particle duality will be explored in relation to

  • blackbody radiation and the photon as a quantum of EMR
  • the photoelectric effect and the conservation of energy
  • the Compton effect and the conservation of momentum and energy
Lesson 1—Blackbody Radiation and the Quantum

 

In this lesson you will explore the relationship between colour and temperature and what is meant by a blackbody and blackbody radiation curves. You will also learn that blackbody radiation curves can be explained by assuming that energy is emitted from hot objects in discrete bundles, or photons, each capable of transferring a minimum quanta of energy.

  • How is blackbody radiation illustrated graphically?

  • What is the relationship between colour and temperature?

  • What is a quantum? What is a photon?

Lesson 2—The Photoelectric Effect

 

In this lesson you will investigate what is meant by the photoelectric effect and how it is described by quantum theory. You will also learn how the photoelectric effect supports the notion of wave-particle duality.

  • What is the photoelectric effect?

  • How is the photoelectric effect described by quantum theory?

  • How does the photoelectric effect support the notion of wave-particle duality?

Lesson 3—Compton, de Broglie, and Wave-Particle Duality

 

In this lesson you will learn about the Compton effect, how it is related to the conservation of energy and momentum, and that it supports wave-particle duality. Under the context of the de Broglie hypothesis, you will also explore whether a particle can behave as a wave if light can behave as a particle.

  • What is the Compton effect and how is it related to the conservation of energy and momentum?

  • How does the Compton effect support wave-particle duality?

  • If light can behave as a particle, can a particle behave as a wave?

  • What is de Broglie’s wave equation?