Predicting More Electron’s Locations

In this experiment we restricted your predictions by limiting you to one location. Now, we will broaden your possibilities and have you make another prediction. This time stop the experiment when the # particles = indicates approximately 100 electrons have been added to the experiment. On the pattern below indicate any place where some electrons are very likely to be. Then indicate locations where you are not sure if electrons will appear and places where you feel rather certain that there will be no electrons.

 

Then do the experiment with a large number of particles and compare it to your predictions.

 

As you see, we cannot state with certainty where the electrons will appear. However, we can discuss probabilities. The next electron has a very high probability of appearing in bright regions — locations of constructive interference. Lower probabilities are associated with regions where the interference is between constructive and destructive. The probability of the electron appearing at regions of destructive interference is essentially zero.