Final answer:
The de Broglie wavelength of an electron in the Davisson-Germer experiment can be calculated with the formula λ = h/(√(2meV)), illustrating the wave-particle duality of electrons and confirming de Broglie's hypothesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the Davisson-Germer experiment, the de Broglie wavelength (λ) of an electron can be computed using the formula λ = h/(√(2meV)), where h is Planck's constant, me is the mass of the electron, and V is the accelerating voltage. Given the mass of an electron as 9.11 × 10-31 kg and assuming Planck's constant (h) is 6.626 × 10-34 m2kg/s, the de Broglie wavelength for an electron being accelerated through a voltage (V) can be calculated.
For example, if the electron is accelerated through a voltage of 54V, as in the historic Davisson-Germer experiment, we can substitute the values into the formula to get the de Broglie wavelength. The Davisson-Germer experiment is significant for demonstrating the wave-particle duality of electrons, showing that matter, like light, can exhibit wave properties such as constructive interference and diffraction, confirming de Broglie's hypothesis of matter waves.