TransWikia.com

De-Broglie equation for other particles except photon

Physics Asked by Md. Hasibul Hossain on March 20, 2021

If E=hf is applicable for electron and other particles, the De Broglie wavelength should be λ=hv/pc. Because, mc^2=hf which implies mc^2=hc/λ which implies m=h/λc and thus λ=hv/pc. But I have found in my text book that λ=h/p is applicable not only for photon but also for all particle. But how can λ=h/p=h/mv be applicable for all particle?

2 Answers

The De Broglie relations $$ E=hnu, p=frac{h}{lambda} $$ are applicable to all particles. However the relation between the frequency/energy and the wave length/momentum, is not the same. Thus, for photons $f=frac{c}{lambda}$, for non-relativistic electrons $E=frac{p^2}{2m}$, for relativistic electrons $E^2=m^2c^4 + p^2c^2$.

Answered by Vadim on March 20, 2021

For your last step you just introduce a v in both the numerator and denominator. That is meaningless as it is unity.

In the expression $lambda = frac{h}{mc}$, you just have to set $c=v$ to account for particles with different momenta and thus different velocities, not equal to the speed of light.

Do it in this way:

$$E = hf = mc^2 $$ $$frac{hc}{lambda} = mc^2$$ $$frac{h}{lambda} = mc$$ $$lambda = frac{h}{mc}$$ $$lambda = frac{h}{mv}$$

Answered by Alon Shoshan on March 20, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP