Two-slit Experiment
Most recent answer: 03/25/2013
Q:
‘Electron can pass through two holes at the same time without splitting into two.’
I read it in a book, is it true? If so, explain it to me.. Please.
Thanks
- Gehad (age 19)
Egypt
- Gehad (age 19)
Egypt
A:
Not only can an electron pass through each of two holes at once, so can bigger things.
For example a C60 molecule can do it. Here's some of the evidence:
Notice that the pattern of where these molecules arrive shows the characteristic interference effects you see when a wave goes through two holes. The wave through one hole can actually cancel the wave through the other.
Perhaps the best way to understand this is to think of all objects as being waves. Sometimes in some circumstances they can lump together into particle-like things, but in general, like familiar waves, they're spread out.
For example a C60 molecule can do it. Here's some of the evidence:
Notice that the pattern of where these molecules arrive shows the characteristic interference effects you see when a wave goes through two holes. The wave through one hole can actually cancel the wave through the other.
Perhaps the best way to understand this is to think of all objects as being waves. Sometimes in some circumstances they can lump together into particle-like things, but in general, like familiar waves, they're spread out.
(published on 03/25/2013)