Publicized early in the debate about whether light was composed of particles or waves, a wave-particle dual nature soon was found to be characteristic of electrons as well. The evidence for the description of light as waves was well established at the turn of the century when the photoelectric effect introduced firm evidence of a particle nature as well. On the other hand, the particle properties of electrons was well documented when the DeBroglie hypothesis and the subsequent experiments by Davisson and Germer established the wave nature of the electron.
Phenomenon | Can be explained in terms of waves. |
Can be explained in terms of particles. |
Reflection | ||
Refraction | ||
Interference | ||
Diffraction | ||
Polarization | ||
Photoelectric effect |
de Broglie wavelength