How does light behave as a particle and as a wave?

Light behaves mainly like a wave but it can also be considered to consist of tiny packages of energy called photons. The energy of a photon depends on its wavelength: longer wavelength photons have less energy and shorter wavelength photons have more. …

What are cosmic rays wavelength?

Gamma rays pack the most energy of any wave and are produced by the hottest, most energetic objects in the universe. Gamma rays have frequencies greater than about 10^19 cycles per second, or hertz (Hz), and wavelengths of less than 100 picometers (pm), or 4 x 10^9 inches. (A picometer is one-trillionth of a meter.)

What is meant by matter waves?

Matter waves are a central part of the theory of quantum mechanics, being an example of wave–particle duality. All matter exhibits wave-like behavior. The concept that matter behaves like a wave was proposed by French physicist Louis de Broglie (/dəˈbrɔɪ/) in 1924. It is also referred to as the de Broglie hypothesis.

How can particles be waves?

Electron and atom diffraction Experiments proved atomic particles act just like waves. The energy of the electron is deposited at a point, just as if it was a particle. So while the electron propagates through space like a wave, it interacts at a point like a particle. This is known as wave-particle duality.

Can all particles act like waves?

Through the work of Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Louis de Broglie, Arthur Compton, Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrödinger and many others, current scientific theory holds that all particles exhibit a wave nature and vice versa.

What are cosmic rays and how do they form?

Cosmic rays are a form of high-energy radiation that originate from outside our solar system. When they reach Earth, the rays collide with particles in the upper atmosphere to produce a “shower” of particles, including muons.

Is radioactivity a wave or a particle?

However, because of the wave/particle duality it is often better to treat it like a particle. The radioactivity we detect comes mainly from the Earth. There are other types of particle radiation; they come from space and are called ‘cosmic rays’. What are cosmic rays? Cosmic rays were discovered in 1912 by the Austrian physicist Victor Hess.

What type of subatomic particles are found in cosmic rays?

Within cosmic-rays however we also find other sub-atomic particles like neutrons electrons and neutrinos. Since cosmic rays are charged – positively charged protons or nuclei, or negatively charged electrons – their paths through space can be deflected by magnetic fields (except for the highest energy cosmic rays).

Can cosmic rays be deflected by magnetic fields?

Since cosmic rays are charged – positively charged protons or nuclei, or negatively charged electrons – their paths through space can be deflected by magnetic fields (except for the highest energy cosmic rays).