## De Broglie Wavelength

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

905416023
Posts: 54
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:17 am

### De Broglie Wavelength

When a question asks to calculate the De Broglie Wavelength, does that mean there is a certain wavelength that is specific to De Broglie? I thought it was just an equation to calculate wavelength in general, not a totally different wavelength. But the way some of these questions are worded it has me concerned.

AKatukota
Posts: 70
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:18 am

### Re: De Broglie Wavelength

So when it asks for the De Broglie Wavelength, you would find the wavelength through h=mvl or l = h/mv

Jordan Young 2J
Posts: 63
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:17 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: De Broglie Wavelength

I think it just means to use the De Broglie equation because the De Broglie equation is derived from the equations E=pc, c= wavelength*frequency, and E=hv which we have learned before. However, this equation only works for any particle with a rest mass, momentum, and wavelength so if it asks for the De Broglie wavelength, it probably means that these conditions are met.

505106414
Posts: 55
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: De Broglie Wavelength

Jordan Young 3E wrote:I think it just means to use the De Broglie equation because the De Broglie equation is derived from the equations E=pc, c= wavelength*frequency, and E=hv which we have learned before. However, this equation only works for any particle with a rest mass, momentum, and wavelength so if it asks for the De Broglie wavelength, it probably means that these conditions are met.

Can you clarify what a "rest mass, momentum, and wavelength" means and how we know if these conditions are met?

EvanWang
Posts: 64
Joined: Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: De Broglie Wavelength

505106414 wrote:
Jordan Young 3E wrote:I think it just means to use the De Broglie equation because the De Broglie equation is derived from the equations E=pc, c= wavelength*frequency, and E=hv which we have learned before. However, this equation only works for any particle with a rest mass, momentum, and wavelength so if it asks for the De Broglie wavelength, it probably means that these conditions are met.

Can you clarify what a "rest mass, momentum, and wavelength" means and how we know if these conditions are met?

Rest mass and momentum mean that we can only apply the De Broglie equation to particles with mass. This basically means that we are excluding photons, because they do not have rest mass.

Angela Patel 2J
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: De Broglie Wavelength

Does calculating the De Broglie wavelength just mean calculating the wavelength of an electron?

Reina Robles 1H
Posts: 54
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: De Broglie Wavelength

The De Broglie wavelength equation is used to see if a moving particle has detectable wavelike properties.

905289082
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: De Broglie Wavelength

Jordan Young 3E wrote:I think it just means to use the De Broglie equation because the De Broglie equation is derived from the equations E=pc, c= wavelength*frequency, and E=hv which we have learned before. However, this equation only works for any particle with a rest mass, momentum, and wavelength so if it asks for the De Broglie wavelength, it probably means that these conditions are met.

What does it mean a particle with a "rest mass?" In problems given that require use of the De Broglie equation should we just assume these conditions have been met or is there an alternative way to check?