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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Chemistry » De Broglie Hypothesis

De Broglie Hypothesis

Louis de Broglie reasoned that if matter functioned with waves in the very same way that light did, the Planck equation might be applicable to matter as well.

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As per the de Broglie equation, matter can function as waves in the same way as light and radiation do. The equation acknowledges that a beam of electrons can be diffracted in the very same way as a beam of light may. 

In other words, the de Broglie equation emphasises the notion of matter having a wavelength.

As just a matter of fact, every moving particle, whether microscopic or macroscopic, seems to have a wavelength. The wave nature of matter can be observed or seen during the case of macroscopic objects.

Thesis by de Broglie

Louis de Broglie reasoned that if matter functioned with waves in the very same way that light did, the Planck equation might well applicable to matter as well. So even though Einstein’s equation only worked with the energy of matter, and Planck’s equation only worked with the energy of waves, he included these equations. De Broglie considered both sides of the equation equivalent to one another because both equations had energy on one side.

hν= mc²

Because particles, apart from light waves, cannot approaches the speed of light, thus the equation is changed to include a velocity instead of the speed of light, and gives:

hν = mv²

It is indeed vital to note that the nu in the Planck equation is technically the lowercase Greek letter nu, which appears like a v in the Roman alphabet. To escape any ambiguity, the Greek letter nu is frequently italicised. 

Let us just review the wavelength and frequency connection in a wave. The length of a wave is the gap between two subsequent peaks. The amount of peaks that travel over a specific place during a certain durations is known as frequency. They are linked in the following way: velocity = wavelength x frequency or:     

𝒗 λ = ν

As De Broglie’s solution, wavelength was replaced by:

mv².λ/h=v

This enable us to modify the solution and solve for lambda:

λ=h/mv

It is De Broglie equation 

Albert Einstein was the very first scientist to establish a link among mass and energy, which culminated in his now-famous equation: E = mc2. The letters e, m, and c in this equation stand for energy, mass, and the speed of light.

As characterise the energy in a photon wave, German physicist Max Planck devised the Planck equation, often referred as the Einstein-Planck connection. E = hv  is the equation, where e is energy, h seems to be the Planck constant, and nu is the wave frequency. 

Planck’s constant is now being used to define the relationship among energy and frequency as a proportional constant. In science, constants are well-known values that can be looked up and easily plugged into equations.

Validation by Experiment

Bell Laboratories physicists Clinton Davisson and Lester Germer conducted an experiment in which they fired electrons at a crystalline nickel target in 1927. 

The radiation pattern that resulted was identical to the de Broglie wavelength expectations. 

Davisson/Germer jointly won the Nobel Prize in 1937 for the innovative discovery of electron diffraction (and thus proving de Broglie’s hypothesis). De Broglie won the Nobel Prize in 1929 for his theory (the first time it was ever recognised for a Ph.D. thesis), and Davisson/Germer jointly awarded it in 1937 for the innovative discovery of electron diffraction (and thus proving de Broglie’s hypothesis).

De Broglie’s hypothesis has been confirmed in several tests, involving quantum variations of the double slit experiment. In 1999, diffraction measurements validated the de Broglie wavelength for the behaviour of buckyballs, which seem to be complex molecules with 60 or even more carbon atoms.

Conclusion 

As per the De Broglie equation, matter can function as waves in the same way as light and radiation do. The equation acknowledges that a beam of electrons can be diffracted in the very same way as a beam of light may. In other words, the De Broglie equation emphasises the notion of matter having a wavelength. Louis de Broglie reasoned that if matter functioned with waves in the very same way that light did, the Planck equation might well applicable to matter as well. 

faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

The De Broglie wavelength of He+ ion electrons is 3,329Å. If the photon emanating from the excitement of this He+ ion is made to strike atom H in its place to release the electrons from it, what will be the wavelength of De Broglie's photoelectron?

Ans.  E = hc/λ h = planck’s constant ...Read full

If a cricket ball of 0.5 kg moves at a velocity of 100 ms¹, then the wavelength associated with its motion is?

Ans. Given, m=0.5kg       ...Read full

How does De Broglie's theory violate the principles of classical mechanics?

Ans : De Broglie’s theory states that a matter is in the form of both matter as well as wave and the wave also...Read full

Can De Broglie's theory be observed in daily life?

Ans. No, as the masses of the particles in daily life are very high, therefore, the momentum is also very high. That...Read full

Ans.  E = hc/λ

h = planck’s constant

c = 3×108 ms-1

λ =3.329 Å 

putting values of all, we get;

E = 5.947×10 −16 J

Now De Broglie wavelength (λ) = hc/E

Now put values of E found previously and m as the electron’s mass. We get;

λ=2.348Å 

Ans. Given, m=0.5kg

           v=100m/s

Hence the wavelength, =h/mv=6.6×10-27/0.5×100=1.3×10-28m

Ans : De Broglie’s theory states that a matter is in the form of both matter as well as wave and the wave also has the properties of a particle that is momentum. However, according to classical mechanics, particles have only particle properties and waves have always wave properties. Here, De Broglie’s theory violates the principle of classical mechanics.

Ans. No, as the masses of the particles in daily life are very high, therefore, the momentum is also very high. That is why such a small wavelength of moving objects can’t be observed. 

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