Wave-particle duality tells us that wave and particle models apply to all objects whatever the size, so why don't we observe wave properties in macroscopic objects?

Question

Choose one • 5 points

Because their particle properties forbid us from observing their wave properties.

Because their wavelength is extremely long (undetectable).

Because their wavelength is extremely short (undetectable).

Answer 1

The correct choice is:

Because their wavelength is extremely short (undetectable).

In quantum mechanics, the wavelength associated with an object is given by the de Broglie wavelength formula: \( \lambda = \frac{h}{p} \), where \( h \) is Planck's constant and \( p \) is the momentum of the object. For macroscopic objects, which have a significantly larger momentum compared to subatomic particles, the resulting wavelength is extremely short, making it undetectable and rendering wave properties effectively unobservable at macroscopic scales.