De borgie relation and photon energy

In summary, the individual was experimenting with equations and discovered a new way to solve for the wavelength of an electron without using the de Broglie relation. However, their professor dismissed their findings and claimed they were simply going in a circle by using the de Broglie relation in a different way. The individual believes that the energy of any particle can be defined using wavelength, but is unsure if this is accurate. They also mention that momentum is related to wavelength.
  • #1
siromar
5
0
I was playing around with equations last night while waiting on a friend, when I thought I stumbled on something strange.

I came up with the equation energy(e) = mass(m) x speed of light(c) x velocity(v) from the de Borgie relation wavelength(l)= plank's constant (h)/mv and the formula for the photon's electromagnetic energy e= hc/l. I tried plugging in numbers to see if I can solve for the wavelength of an electron without using the de Borgie relation, and it worked.

If the electron travels at 3.65 x 10^6 and using the invariant mass of the electron, e= mcv would give 7.24 x 10^-16

Plugging in that number in e = hc/l would give the correct answer of 2.74 x 10^-10 even though, according to my professor, the photon energy is completely unrelated to the electron.

Upon showing it to the professor to inquire as why such method would give a correct answer, he quickly dismissed me and said I got the correct answer because I went in a circle.

Can someone explain to me how what I did was going in a circle?
 
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  • #2
Aren't you simply using the de broglie relation in a different way?
 
  • #3
Drakkith said:
Aren't you simply using the de broglie relation in a different way?

Wouldn't that be true only if e= hc/l is relevant for the electron? I have been told that the equation can only be used for the energy of a photon, and that the electron kinetic energy is something completely different.
 
  • #4
siromar said:
Wouldn't that be true only if e= hc/l is relevant for the electron? I have been told that the equation can only be used for the energy of a photon, and that the electron kinetic energy is something completely different.

I believe the energy of any particle can be defined by using the wavelength. But don't quote me on that.
 
  • #5
It's the momentum that's related to wavelength.
P=h/λ
 

FAQ: De borgie relation and photon energy

What is the De Broglie relation?

The De Broglie relation is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that describes the relationship between the wavelength (λ) and momentum (p) of a particle. It states that every particle, regardless of its mass or speed, has a wavelength associated with it, given by the equation λ = h/mv, where h is Planck's constant and mv is the momentum of the particle.

How does the De Broglie relation relate to the wave-particle duality?

The De Broglie relation is a key concept in understanding the wave-particle duality of quantum mechanics. It implies that particles, such as electrons or protons, can exhibit wave-like behavior and have a wavelength associated with them, just like light waves. This duality means that particles can behave like waves and waves can behave like particles, blurring the line between the two.

What is the significance of the De Broglie relation?

The De Broglie relation has significant implications for our understanding of the behavior of particles at the quantum level. It helped to reconcile the wave and particle nature of matter and has been confirmed through numerous experiments. It also plays a crucial role in many areas of physics, including quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular physics, and solid-state physics.

How does photon energy relate to the De Broglie relation?

The De Broglie relation can be used to calculate the energy of a photon. Since a photon is a particle with a certain momentum, it also has a wavelength associated with it. By using the De Broglie relation, we can determine the energy of the photon, given by the equation E = hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant and c is the speed of light.

Can the De Broglie relation be applied to macroscopic objects?

The De Broglie relation is typically applied to subatomic particles, but it can also be applied to macroscopic objects, such as baseballs or even humans. However, the wavelength associated with such large objects is incredibly small and therefore not observable. The De Broglie relation is most significant at the microscopic scale, where the wave-like behavior of particles becomes apparent.

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