Wave Behavior of Other Particles

The simulations we did with electrons seem to imply that wave behavior is associated with electrons. As electron energy increases the distance between dark regions in the interference pattern decreases. If we compare this to our observations of light we could say that as the electron energy increases the electron wavelength decreases.

Let us now examine some other small particles and see if they exhibit wave behavior.

Proton - positively charged particle that has a mass approximately 2000 times that of an electron
Neutron - neutral (no charge) particle that has a mass approximately 2000 times that of an electron
Pion - positively charged particle that has a mass approximately 300 times that of an electron

We will use these particles as sources in a double slit experiment to investigate possible wave behavior.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Double Slit program and click on the source tube labeled Protons second from the left side of the screen. Click Start and observe the pattern that accumulates.
  2. Save your run by clicking and dragging the pattern over to the spaces provided on the right hand side of the screen.
  3. Keeping other variables fixed (energy and slit separation) now select Neutrons as the source.
  4. Try out various energies for protons and neutrons and compare the interference patterns.

After you have examined the interference patterns from protons and neutrons answer the following questions: