Figure 1 shows the apparatus used in an experiment to investigate electron diffraction and the de Broglie hypothesis - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 7
Question 1
Figure 1 shows the apparatus used in an experiment to investigate electron diffraction and the de Broglie hypothesis.
Explain how high-speed electrons are produced ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 1 shows the apparatus used in an experiment to investigate electron diffraction and the de Broglie hypothesis - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2021 - Paper 7
Step 1
Explain how high-speed electrons are produced in the apparatus in Figure 1.
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Answer
Parts A and B of the apparatus serve specific functions in producing high-speed electrons:
Part A: This is the filament, which acts as a heated cathode. When a voltage is applied, it gets heated and emits electrons through thermionic emission.
Part B: This is the anode. It is positively charged and attracts the emitted electrons, allowing them to accelerate towards it due to the electric field created by the potential difference V1.
The potential difference V1 supplies energy to drive the current and, therefore, heats the cathode, which is crucial for creating the electron beam. The potential difference V2 is responsible for producing the electric field necessary to accelerate the electrons towards the target.
Step 2
Suggest a suitable value for $V_2$.
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Answer
Given the criteria that electron wavelengths need to be about 50% the size of an atom (approximately 0.1extnm or 1imes10−10extm), we can calculate the required wavelength using the de Broglie relation:
ext{wavelength} = rac{h}{p}
where h is the Planck constant and p is the momentum of the electrons. Assuming a suitable kinetic energy obtained from the potential difference V2 matches this requirement, a calculated value for V2 is approximately 0.5extV to provide the necessary energy to achieve the desired electron wavelength.
Step 3
Explain how measurements made with the apparatus in Figure 1 can be used to support the de Broglie hypothesis.
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Answer
The apparatus allows for direct observations of electron diffraction patterns, which provide evidence for wave behavior of electrons. According to the de Broglie hypothesis, particles such as electrons exhibit wave-like characteristics with a wavelength given by
ext{wavelength} = rac{h}{p}
where p is the momentum of the electron. By measuring the angles and spacing of the diffraction rings produced on the screen in Figure 2, researchers can correlate these measurements with calculated wavelengths from the energy of the electrons, thus supporting the theory that electrons can behave as waves, consistent with the de Broglie hypothesis.
Step 4
Which row links the type of microscope to a relevant property of moving electrons?
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Answer
For this question, the appropriate answer is:
STM
TEM
Moving electrons can cross a potential barrier.
Moving electrons can be deflected by a magnetic field.