- #1
Herbascious J
- 165
- 7
- TL;DR Summary
- How is the electro-magnetic wave description of light related to the wave function described by QM for a photon? Further how does this relate to electrons and the nature of their wave function?
When studying classical mechanics we are told that light is the propogation of electromagnetic waves. This makes perfect sense, as I can imagine these fields behaving this way, and in turn have an associated wave length. When learning about QM, I have heard that the wavelength of a (any) particle can be interpreted as a probability wave associated with the wave function. I am assuming this means that the probability of a particle being in any particular position is defined by a wave like description. That I can also accept, considering the two-slit experiment and it's results seem to show the the waves enforcing and canceling each other out and in turn more or less photons falling in those areas. My first question is, are these two different descriptions of a photon's 'wave' nature identical, or are these two, separate properties of the photon? I'm assuming the wavelengths are always identical, even if the descriptions are separate in nature.
Finally, if a photon's wave-like structure can be described by both a QM wave function and separately as a physical electromagnetic wave, then are there other particles which have a QM wave function identical to some other physical property, like for example an electron? I realize the photon is a force carrying particle, so perhaps the answer to my question is related there. I'm not sure. Any input is appreciated.
Finally, if a photon's wave-like structure can be described by both a QM wave function and separately as a physical electromagnetic wave, then are there other particles which have a QM wave function identical to some other physical property, like for example an electron? I realize the photon is a force carrying particle, so perhaps the answer to my question is related there. I'm not sure. Any input is appreciated.