Question

(i) Why do we see an interference pattern in the double slit experiment of electrons (even when they are sent one by one)?

(ii) Interpret the fine structure constant in terms of properties of electrons in the Hydrogen atom. Explain further why relativistic corrections to the Hydrogen atom are proportional to the fine-structure constant.

Answer 1

i)Interference is the phenomenon in which two waves superimpose to form a resultant wave of greater,lower or same amplitude.we see the interference pattern in the double slit experiment because of the arrangement between the two slits and the distance between the slits.so we obtain interference at double slit experiment.Even if the electrons are send one by one an interference pattern is obtained.

ii)The fine structure constant() describes how electromagnetic radiation affects the charged particle.The numerical value for fine structure constant is 0.007297351 which is an approximate value.The properties of electrons of hydrogen atom does affect the fine structure constant.The electron in a hydrogen atom undergoes particular half spin at s orbital which can be related with the fine structure constant.The fine structure describes the splitting of the spectral lines of atoms due to the electron spin and relativistic correctness.The spin orbit correctness is important in determining relative correctness,so relative correctness of hydrogen atom are propotional to the fine structure constant.