What happens to the interference pattern if we attempt to determine which slit the electron passes through using a laser placed directly behind the slits? Additionally, what happens to the interference pattern described in Problem 47 if the rate of electrons passing through the slits is reduced to one electron per hour?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of wave-particle duality, which states that particles like electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the interference pattern is a result of the wave-like behavior of electrons, where they pass through both slits simultaneously, creating an interference pattern on the detection screen.
3. Step 3: Consider the effect of measuring which slit the electron passes through. According to the principle of complementarity, attempting to measure the path of the electron collapses its wave function, causing it to behave more like a particle.
4. Step 4: Realize that when a laser is used to determine the path of the electron, the act of measurement disturbs the electron's wave function, resulting in the disappearance of the interference pattern.
5. Step 5: Analyze the scenario where electrons pass through the slits one at a time. Even at a rate of one electron per hour, if no measurement is made to determine the path, the interference pattern will still form over time, as each electron interferes with itself.