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Wave–particle duality: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions

Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 4.5.3 Wave–particle duality, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,877 questions

  1. Q17

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    6 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality4.5.2 The photoelectric effect
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 17: 17* ‘Wave-particle duality’ refers to the idea that: • particles, such as electrons, can show behaviour characteristic of waves • waves, such as visible light,

  2. Q7

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 7: The velocity of an electron is 5% of the speed of light in a vacuum. Calculate the wavelength of the electron. 1.3 × 10–15 m A 2.6 × 10–14 m B 2.4 × 10–12 m C 4

  3. Q8

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    6 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 8: 8* In 1929, the Nobel prize was awarded to Louis de Broglie for his discovery of the wave nature of electrons. Describe, with the aid of a suitable diagram: • h

  4. Q19(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    4 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 19(a): Describe the experiment that produces this pattern. Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus to help you. [4]

  5. Q19(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    3 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 19(b): Explain why light and dark circles as shown in the picture are produced, stating what this evidence provides about electron behaviour. [3]

  6. Q19(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 19(c)(ii): Calculate the de Broglie wavelength λ of the accelerated electrons. λ = m [2]

  7. Q19(c)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 19(c)(iii): Suggest a value for the spacing between the graphite atoms. Justify your answer. [1]

  8. Q3

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 3: An electron beam is passed through a thin slice of graphite and a diffraction pattern is produced. The approximate spacing between the carbon atoms in the graph

  9. Q10

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 10: A proton of mass 1.67 × 10–27 kg is travelling at a speed of 2.0 × 105 m s–1. The table below shows the mass and speed of four particles A, B, C and D. Speed /

  10. Q26(a)(iii)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 1

    3 marks4.5.2 The photoelectric effect4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 1, question 26(a)(iii): The metal B is now exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a different wavelength. The energy of each incident photon is 5.3 eV. Calculate the minimum de Brogli

  11. Q6(a)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 6(a): Explain why this pattern is formed. [3]

  12. Q6(b)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 6(b): The relationship between the de Broglie wavelength λ and the accelerating potential difference V is h λ = 2 meV where m is the mass of the electron and e is the

  13. Q17(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    4 marks4.5.2 The photoelectric effect4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 17(b)(ii): Light from a laser is incident on some potassium in a vacuum. Electrons are emitted. The wavelength of the light is 320 nm. Calculate the shortest de Broglie wa

  14. Q14

    November 2021 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 1, question 14: The de Broglie wavelength of a proton is 160 pm. The kinetic energy of this proton is doubled. What is the de Broglie wavelength of the proton now? A 80 pm B 11

  15. Q19

    November 2021 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 1, question 19: What can be deduced from the diffraction of electrons by graphite atoms? A Electrons are electromagnetic waves. B Electrons can also become photons. C Electrons

  16. Q15

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    1 mark4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 15: What can be deduced from the diffraction of electrons by a thin film of graphite? A Electrons are leptons. B Electrons are negatively charged. C Electrons inter

  17. Q19(b)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 19(b)(i): Show that the de Broglie wavelength λ is given by the expression λ2 = h 2 2mq × 1 V. [2]

  18. Q19(b)(ii)

    November 2020 · Paper 2

    7 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality2.2.1 Measurements and uncertainties
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 2, question 19(b)(ii): The researcher plots data points on a λ2 against 1 V grid, as shown below. 2.0 1.5 λ2 / 10–25 m2 1.0 0.5 0 0 10 20 1 / 10–4 V–1 V 17 1 Calculate the percentage

  19. Q7

    November 2020 · AS Paper 1

    1 mark4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 AS Paper 1, question 7: A proton has kinetic energy 8.00 × 10−17 J. 7 Which is the correct expression for the de Broglie wavelength λ of the proton? 6.63 × 10–34 A λ = 2 × 1.67 × 10−27

  20. Q8

    November 2020 · AS Paper 2

    6 marks4.5.3 Wave–particle duality
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 AS Paper 2, question 8: 8* A student is investigating electron diffraction. A beam of electrons is directed towards a thin slice of graphite in an evacuated tube. The electrons are acc
All 29 questions on Wave–particle duality, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q17 (6 marks): 17* ‘Wave-particle duality’ refers to the idea that: • particles, such as electrons, can show behaviour characteristic of waves • waves, such as visible light,
  2. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): The velocity of an electron is 5% of the speed of light in a vacuum. Calculate the wavelength of the electron. 1.3 × 10–15 m A 2.6 × 10–14 m B 2.4 × 10–12 m C 4
  3. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q8 (6 marks): 8* In 1929, the Nobel prize was awarded to Louis de Broglie for his discovery of the wave nature of electrons. Describe, with the aid of a suitable diagram: • h
  4. June 2023, Paper 2, Q19(a) (4 marks): Describe the experiment that produces this pattern. Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus to help you. [4]
  5. June 2023, Paper 2, Q19(b) (3 marks): Explain why light and dark circles as shown in the picture are produced, stating what this evidence provides about electron behaviour. [3]
  6. June 2023, Paper 2, Q19(c)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the de Broglie wavelength λ of the accelerated electrons. λ = m [2]
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q19(c)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest a value for the spacing between the graphite atoms. Justify your answer. [1]
  8. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): An electron beam is passed through a thin slice of graphite and a diffraction pattern is produced. The approximate spacing between the carbon atoms in the graph
  9. June 2022, Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): A proton of mass 1.67 × 10–27 kg is travelling at a speed of 2.0 × 105 m s–1. The table below shows the mass and speed of four particles A, B, C and D. Speed /
  10. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q26(a)(iii) (3 marks): The metal B is now exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a different wavelength. The energy of each incident photon is 5.3 eV. Calculate the minimum de Brogli
  11. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(a) (3 marks): Explain why this pattern is formed. [3]
  12. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): The relationship between the de Broglie wavelength λ and the accelerating potential difference V is h λ = 2 meV where m is the mass of the electron and e is the
  13. November 2021, Paper 2, Q17(b)(ii) (4 marks): Light from a laser is incident on some potassium in a vacuum. Electrons are emitted. The wavelength of the light is 320 nm. Calculate the shortest de Broglie wa
  14. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): The de Broglie wavelength of a proton is 160 pm. The kinetic energy of this proton is doubled. What is the de Broglie wavelength of the proton now? A 80 pm B 11
  15. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): What can be deduced from the diffraction of electrons by graphite atoms? A Electrons are electromagnetic waves. B Electrons can also become photons. C Electrons
  16. November 2020, Paper 2, Q15 (1 mark): What can be deduced from the diffraction of electrons by a thin film of graphite? A Electrons are leptons. B Electrons are negatively charged. C Electrons inter
  17. November 2020, Paper 2, Q19(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the de Broglie wavelength λ is given by the expression λ2 = h 2 2mq × 1 V. [2]
  18. November 2020, Paper 2, Q19(b)(ii) (7 marks): The researcher plots data points on a λ2 against 1 V grid, as shown below. 2.0 1.5 λ2 / 10–25 m2 1.0 0.5 0 0 10 20 1 / 10–4 V–1 V 17 1 Calculate the percentage
  19. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): A proton has kinetic energy 8.00 × 10−17 J. 7 Which is the correct expression for the de Broglie wavelength λ of the proton? 6.63 × 10–34 A λ = 2 × 1.67 × 10−27
  20. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q8 (6 marks): 8* A student is investigating electron diffraction. A beam of electrons is directed towards a thin slice of graphite in an evacuated tube. The electrons are acc
  21. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q25(a) (1 mark): State one piece of evidence for the wave-like behaviour of electrons. [1]
  22. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q25(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the de Broglie wavelength λ of each electron. λ = m [2]
  23. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q6(b) (4 marks): Electrons can behave as a wave. Describe the behaviour of electrons which demonstrates that they have wave properties. [4]
  24. June 2018, Paper 2, Q3 (1 mark): An electron has a de Broglie wavelength equal to the wavelength of X-rays. What is the best estimate of the momentum of this electron? 10−30 kg m s−1 A 10−27 kg
  25. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q9(c) (2 marks): Moving electrons have wave-like properties. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength λ for electrons travelling at 5.5 × 105 m s–1. λ= m [2]
  26. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): The de Broglie wavelength of an electron after being accelerated through a potential difference (p.d.) V is λ0. The accelerating p.d. is now doubled. What is th
  27. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): Electrons travelling through a thin film of carbon are diffracted. Which statement is correct? The electrons behave like .... A photons and are deflected by the
  28. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q8(b) (2 marks): Determine the de Broglie wavelength λ of the electrons. λ = m [2]
  29. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q8(c) (2 marks): After the electrons are diffracted by the graphite they hit a fluorescent screen. The electrons are diffracted because of the spacing between the carbon atoms i

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