Question

For the double-slit experiment in which one electron is fired at a time, what is the best description of what one individual electron does in this experiment in the context of matter waves?

A) Passes through both slits simultaneously
B) Interferes with itself
C) Behaves as a particle
D) Collapses into a wave function

Answer 1

In the double-slit experiment, when an electron is observed passing through one slit, it behaves as a particle and creates a single-slit interference pattern. However, when the electron is not observed, it passes through both slits simultaneously and interferes with itself, creating a double-slit interference pattern.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an electron is fired at a double-slit in the context of matter waves, it exhibits wave-particle duality. The electron behaves as a particle when it is observed passing through one of the slits and results in a single-slit interference pattern. On the other hand, when the electron is not observed and its path is not detected, it passes through both slits simultaneously and interferes with itself, resulting in a double-slit interference pattern.