Revision as of 23:08, 29 September 2009

Matter Waves (Wave Particle Duality)

Special relativity said that

[math]\displaystyle{ E = pc }[/math] if m=0

Plank said he could fit the Black Body radiation data assuming that that

[math]\displaystyle{ E= hf }[/math] where [math]\displaystyle{ h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34} \mbox{ J} \cdot \mbox{s} }[/math] = Plank's constant

Combining the two we have

[math]\displaystyle{ p=\frac{E}{c} = \frac{ h f}{c} }[/math]

[math]\displaystyle{ \Rightarrow }[/math] photons have momentum like a particle (mv)

Do particles reciprocate and behave like photons?

If photons can behave like particles by having momentum

Then can a particle behave like a wave by having wavelength

[math]\displaystyle{ p=\frac{ h f}{c} = \frac{h}{\lambda} }[/math]

or

[math]\displaystyle{ \lambda_{particle} = \frac{h}{p} }[/math]

From hyperphysics:

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 If photons can behave like particles by having momentum
-Then particle can behave like waves by having wavelength
+Then can a particle behave like a wave by having wavelength
 <math> p=\frac{ h f}{c} = \frac{h}{\lambda}</math>