Final answer:
The interference patterns created by electrons demonstrate the concept of wave-particle duality, whereby electrons show both wave-like and particle-like properties. The pattern changes when electron velocities are increased because their wavelengths decrease according to de Broglie's equation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of interference patterns by electrons can be best explained by wave-particle duality, which is a fundamental concept in quantum physics. This concept was first observed with photons and extends to all quantum particles, including electrons. The interference pattern observed in the double-slit experiments is created when electrons pass through closely spaced slits and interfere with themselves.
This demonstrates that electrons display both particle-like and wave-like properties. When the velocity of electrons is increased, according to de Broglie's equation (λ = h/p, where λ is wavelength, h is Planck's constant, and p is momentum), their wavelengths decrease, leading to a change in the interference pattern. Specifically, this adjustment leads to the spacing between the zones of constructive and destructive interference in the pattern also changing.