what is the definition of matter

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Asked 9/19/2008 12:56:02 PM

Updated 9/19/2016 2:49:09 PM

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User: what is the definition of matter

Weegy: Hi nishi By "matter waves" I'm going to assume you're talking about de Broglie waves. Louis de Broglie first suggested that the particle-like behaviour of light suggested by the photo-electric effect coupled with relativistic energy might imply [ that on small scales matter could behave like a wave. He worked out that an electron would have a characteristic wavelength L(lambda) given by: L = h/p where h is Planck's constant and p is the electron momentum. In the non relativistic (ie slow speed) limit this is approximately equal to: L = h/mv for m the mass of the electron and v its speed. As a consequence, modern quantum physicists regard quantum objects as able to demonstrate both particle-like and also wave-like behaviour. This means that quantum light (photons) can behave like a particle or like a wave, and so can (for example) an electron. The archetypal demonstration of this is the double-slit experiment which you'd typically perform as an undergrad student in physics. Single quantum objects (photons or electrons) are fired through two slits onto a screen (normal for photons, flourescent for electrons). If the experimenter sets up detectors at the slits to detect which slit the electron passes through then the resultant pattern on the screen will be like two intersecting blobs (the electrons have behaved like particles and travelled through one slit or the other). If, however, the experimenter doesn't detect which slit the particles go through, then the pattern which builds up on the detector screen is one of interference fringes, which is what you get when waves interfere when passing through two narrow apertures (the electrons have behaved like waves). This extraordinary result shows that quantum reality is quite different to our everyday classical intuition, and that matter can behave like a wave. Hence we need wave mechanics to be able to deal with such behaviour in matter. Hope this helps! The Chicken
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Asked 9/19/2008 12:56:02 PM

Updated 9/19/2016 2:49:09 PM

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emdjay23

The definition of matter is the physical or corporeal substance in general, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, especially as distinguished from incorporeal substance, as spirit or mind, or from qualities, actions, and the like.

Added 9/19/2016 2:49:06 PM

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Confirmed by vchutkan [9/19/2016 4:55:37 PM]

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