Mass & wavelength


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Sei Lam 3F
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2023 12:21 pm

Mass & wavelength

Postby Sei Lam 3F » Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:20 pm

I understand that the mass and wavelength of a particle are inversely related, as per the de Broglie equation, but could someone explain why this is actually the case? Thanks!

Sisam Bhattarai 2C
Posts: 131
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:33 am

Re: Mass & wavelength

Postby Sisam Bhattarai 2C » Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:22 pm

If you maintain momentum and increase mass, velocity decreases in the de Broglie equation, λ = h / p, where p is momentum (mass times velocity). This results in an increase in wavelength (λ). As a result, mass and wavelength have an inverse relationship.

Azlyn Hernandez 2E
Posts: 87
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2023 12:23 pm

Re: Mass & wavelength

Postby Azlyn Hernandez 2E » Sun Dec 10, 2023 3:49 pm

You could also think about it this way which I find more intuitive:
The inverse relationship between mass a wavelength suggests that particles with larger masses, have extremely short wavelengths and act more like classic particles with a well-defined position. And conversely, particles with very small masses, such as electrons, exhibit wave-like behavior with longer wavelength, which is why it is so hard to determine its specific position in space.


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