## wavelike properties

$\lambda=\frac{h}{p}$

leediane0916
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:29 am

### wavelike properties

When problems ask you if your object (ie. car) has measurable wavelike properties, what it is asking me to identify/decide?

Blake Salfer 1B
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:18 am

### Re: wavelike properties

Dr. Lavelle stated that any wavelength smaller than about 1.0x10^-18 wouldn't be detectable. Basically anything besides subatomic particles have wavelengths that are too small to detect.

Stephen Sirmay 1I
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:21 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: wavelike properties

Although they may not be detectable, the wavelength can be calculated. A car for example, does have mass and could have velocity and therefore could apply to the equation, the wavelength will not be detectable however.

305154707
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am

### Re: wavelike properties

An object like a car would have too great a mass to produce measurable wavelike properties. In some of the homework problems, cars yielded a projected wavelength of about 10^-38m. This wavelength would be too small to be considered noticeable, although we have detected it. Only very small particles produce a wavelength that is proportionally noticeable. For example, the examples with electrons usually yield a DeBrogile wavelength of around 10^5. The cutoff for what is "detectable" or not is 10^18m. Hope this helps!

uhedlund
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:03 am

### Re: wavelike properties

A wavelength smaller than 1*10^-18 cannot be detected; however, it can still be calculated.