Running head: LAB 7: WAVE-PARTICLE DUALITY: LIGHT AND ELECTRONS

Lab 7: Wave-Particle Duality: Light and Electrons

Abdullah Aljawaiy
Southern Oregon University
August 7, 2015.

Lab 6: Wave-Particle Duality: Light and Electrons

Introduction
There has been debate whether light is made up of particles or waves. A wave-particle
dual nature has been found to be exhibited by electrons too. Most ordinarily observed
phenomena with light can be described by waves. However, with the introduction of the
photoelectric theory, thought of light as a particle has emerged.
The documentary in this lab exercise is about the realm of quantum physics, which
governs the universe on the tiniest of scales. One interesting thing I learnt from it is the origin of
the phrase quantum leap. It is amazing to discover that quantum mechanics has led to
tremendous inventions like lasers, transistors, the integrated circuits, and the entire field of
electronics. I do not quite understand how an electron would move from one orbit to another

LAB 7: WAVE-PARTICLE DUALITY: LIGHT AND ELECTRONS

while skipping an intermediate orbit. Also, I fail to understand how the fundamental nature of
reality at the deepest level is determined by chance and the confusing concept of entanglement.
One question I would love to find an answer to is why the energy of electrons in an atom is
quantized.
Objective
The primary aim of the simulation is to determine the wave-particle dual nature of light and
electrons.
Hypothesis
Light and electrons can be viewed as both waves and particles.

Results
Double slit experiment with one electron per second

Figure 1: Histogram of one electron every second

Double slit experiment with three electrons per second

LAB 7: WAVE-PARTICLE DUALITY: LIGHT AND ELECTRONS

Figure 2: Histogram of three electrons every second

Double slit experiment with six electrons per second

Figure 3: Histogram of six electrons every second

From the observing screen, a flash of light is emitted each time electron strikes. The
electrons fire at a rate of one, three or six electrons per second, and the histogram plot noted. The
middle part of the animation forms a histogram of the number of electrons versus where they
landed on the screen. An interference pattern emerges as time elapses.
Data Analysis

LAB 7: WAVE-PARTICLE DUALITY: LIGHT AND ELECTRONS

From the findings, electrons can be viewed as either particles or waves. The electrons
pass through the double slit but form numerous paths through the screen instead of two. The
histograms plotted confirm that the paths through the screen are more than two. As the number of
electrons through the double slit increase, the frequency of the histograms also rises. This pattern
is observable on comparing the results when one electron per second is discharged and that when
six electrons per second are launched.
Conclusion
The results recorded in the three tables are proof that light and electrons exhibit duality,
particles or waves. The existence of light or electrons as waves explains the multiple paths on the
screen followed by the electrons. The demonstration from the documentary proves this claim as
we were able to observe several distinct paths on the screen made by the electrons despite only
having a double slit. All this is consistent with what I have read.