| Traveling and Standing Waves |
A mechanical wave is a disturbance that moves, or propagates, through a material, carrying energy with it. Such a wave is also called a traveling wave. The particles of the material are only temporarily displaced and return to their original locations after the wave passes. In this section we study several examples of mechanical waves. |
| Wave Diffraction, Interference, and Scattering |
Diffraction, interference, and scattering - properties common to all wave phenomena - are demonstrated with waves in a ripple tank. |
| Light: Wave and Particle |
The dual nature of light is explored. Phenomena such as reflection, diffraction, polarization, and scattering of light demonstrate its wave-like properties, while the photoelectric effect illustrates light's particle-like characteristics. |
| The Electron: Particle and Wave |
Electrons, like light, display both particle-like and wave-like properties. Crookes and cathode ray tubes are used to demonstrate the electron's particle-like nature; the spectra of atomic discharge lamps can be understood in terms of the electron's wave-like properties. |
Both matter and electromagnetic radiation have wave-like properties and particle-like properties. Understanding the details of this marriage of opposites, waves and particles, is key to understanding the physics and chemistry of atoms and molecules.
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