## Difference between DeBroglie and regular wavelength

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

Kelly Singh
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### Difference between DeBroglie and regular wavelength

What is the difference between using the DeBroglie equation vs using c=(wavelength)(frequency) and/or E=(h)(frequency) to calculate wavelength? Will the values be exactly the same?

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### Re: Difference between DeBroglie and regular wavelength

The values should be the same, it just depends on what information you are given/need to find. If you are dealing with momentum (mass and/or velocity) then you should use DeBroglie's equation. If you are dealing with energy and/or frequency, you should use one of the other two.

Hope this helps!

Samuel Flores 1E
Posts: 95
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:51 pm

### Re: Difference between DeBroglie and regular wavelength

Hello! The De Broglie equation is used to the find the wavelength of a particle (i.e. an electron) with wave-like properties. Basically, for very small particles, the De Broglie equation measures the wavelength of the wave-like property that particle exhibits.

The other equation you mentioned, such as E=hv, is used more often to calculate the energy of a photon. So generally this equation has a different application than the De Broglie equation.
In other words, the De Broglie equation is applied to the wave-like properties of particles, while the equation E=hv is applied to light/photons.

Hope this helps!

Kelly Singh
Posts: 105
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:48 pm
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### Re: Difference between DeBroglie and regular wavelength

Stuti Pradhan 1B wrote:The values should be the same, it just depends on what information you are given/need to find. If you are dealing with momentum (mass and/or velocity) then you should use DeBroglie's equation. If you are dealing with energy and/or frequency, you should use one of the other two.

Hope this helps!

Yes, it does help! Thank you :)

Kelly Singh
Posts: 105
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:48 pm
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: Difference between DeBroglie and regular wavelength

Samuel Flores 2C wrote:Hello! The De Broglie equation is used to the find the wavelength of a particle (i.e. an electron) with wave-like properties. Basically, for very small particles, the De Broglie equation measures the wavelength of the wave-like property that particle exhibits.

The other equation you mentioned, such as E=hv, is used more often to calculate the energy of a photon. So generally this equation has a different application than the De Broglie equation.
In other words, the De Broglie equation is applied to the wave-like properties of particles, while the equation E=hv is applied to light/photons.

Hope this helps!

This definitely helps! Thank you :)