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De Broglie Wavelength Formula:
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The de Broglie wavelength equation describes the wave nature of matter, showing that all particles have an associated wavelength. It connects the classical concept of momentum with the quantum concept of wavelength.
The calculator uses the de Broglie wavelength equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation demonstrates the wave-particle duality, showing that matter exhibits both particle-like and wave-like properties.
Details: Calculating de Broglie wavelength is fundamental in quantum mechanics for understanding particle behavior at atomic and subatomic scales, and is crucial in fields like electron microscopy and quantum computing.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is Planck's constant?
A: Planck's constant (h = 6.626×10⁻³⁴ J·s) is a fundamental physical constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency.
Q2: Why is the wavelength so small for macroscopic objects?
A: Because Planck's constant is extremely small, the wavelength becomes negligible for everyday objects with significant mass, making wave effects undetectable.
Q3: What are typical wavelength values for subatomic particles?
A: Electrons at typical energies have wavelengths around 10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻¹² meters, comparable to atomic spacing, which is why electron microscopes can achieve high resolution.
Q4: Does this apply to photons?
A: While photons are massless, they do have momentum and wavelength, but their wavelength is calculated using E = hc/λ rather than the de Broglie equation.
Q5: What are the practical applications of this calculation?
A: Applications include electron microscopy, neutron diffraction studies, and understanding quantum tunneling effects in semiconductors.