**De Broglie's Equation (Short Note)**
De Broglie’s equation, proposed by French physicist Louis de Broglie in 1924, introduces the concept of wave-particle duality. According to de Broglie, not only light (as previously thought) but also matter particles, such as electrons, exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.
The equation that expresses this wave-particle duality is:
\[
\lambda = \frac{h}{p}
\]
Where:
- **λ (lambda)** is the wavelength of the particle's wave.
- **h** is Planck's constant (\(6.626 \times 10^{-34}\) J·s).
- **p** is the momentum of the particle, which is the product of the particle’s mass (m) and its velocity (v). Thus, \( p = mv \).
### Explanation:
De Broglie’s equation tells us that every moving particle, such as an electron, has an associated wavelength, known as the **de Broglie wavelength**. This wavelength is inversely proportional to the momentum of the particle. In other words, the greater the momentum (mass × velocity), the smaller the wavelength, and vice versa.
### Key Points:
1. **Wave-particle duality**: De Broglie’s theory suggests that all matter behaves as both a particle and a wave. For macroscopic objects (like a baseball), the wavelength is so tiny that it is not noticeable. But for microscopic particles like electrons, the wavelength is significant and can be detected.
2. **Application**: De Broglie’s equation laid the foundation for quantum mechanics, influencing the development of quantum theory and the concept of wavefunctions, which describe the probabilistic behavior of particles.
In summary, de Broglie’s equation bridges the gap between classical and quantum physics by showing how particles can have wave-like characteristics, leading to the development of wave mechanics in quantum theory.