What is the Difference Between De Broglie Wavelength and Wavelength?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between the De Broglie wavelength and the normal wavelength lies in the nature of the entities they describe and the equations used to calculate them.
- De Broglie Wavelength: This wavelength is associated with particles that have mass, such as electrons, and is used to describe their wave-like properties. The De Broglie wavelength is calculated using the equation $$\lambda_{dB} = \frac{h}{p}$$, where $$h$$ is the Planck constant and $$p$$ is the momentum of the particle.
- Normal Wavelength: This wavelength is associated with massless particles, such as photons, and is used to describe their wave-like properties. The normal wavelength is calculated using the equation $$c = \lambda \nu$$, where $$c$$ is the speed of light, $$\lambda$$ is the wavelength, and $$\nu$$ is the frequency of the wave.
In summary, the De Broglie wavelength is used for particles with mass and is calculated using the particle's momentum, while the normal wavelength is used for massless particles and is calculated using the wave's frequency and speed of light.
Comparative Table: De Broglie Wavelength vs Wavelength
The De Broglie wavelength and the wavelength calculated using the formula $$c = \frac{f}{\lambda}$$, where $$c$$ is the speed of light, $$f$$ is the frequency, and $$\lambda$$ is the wavelength, are different concepts applied to different phenomena. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:
Property | De Broglie Wavelength | Wavelength (from $$c = \frac{f}{\lambda}$$) |
---|---|---|
Applicable to | Matter particles and photons | Electromagnetic radiation and light |
Equation | $$\lambda = \frac{h}{me \cdot v}$$, where $$\lambda$$ is the wavelength, $$h$$ is Planck's constant, $$me$$ is the mass of the electron, and $$v$$ is the velocity of the electron | $$c = \frac{f}{\lambda}$$, where $$c$$ is the speed of light, $$f$$ is the frequency, and $$\lambda$$ is the wavelength |
Related to | Wave-particle duality | Electromagnetic wave properties |
The De Broglie wavelength is applicable to matter particles and photons, and it is derived from the wave-particle duality of these particles. On the other hand, the wavelength calculated using the formula $$c = \frac{f}{\lambda}$$ is only applicable to electromagnetic radiation and light. This wavelength is related to the electromagnetic wave properties of light, while the De Broglie wavelength is related to the wave-particle duality of matter particles and photons.
- Wavelength vs Wavenumber
- Wavelength vs Frequency
- Wavelength vs Amplitude
- De Broglie vs Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
- Wave vs Particle Nature of Light
- Electromagnetic Radiation vs Electromagnetic Waves
- Diffraction vs Refraction
- Light vs Radio Waves
- Diffraction vs Scattering
- Wave Velocity vs Wave Frequency
- Dichroism vs Birefringence
- Bragg vs Laue Diffraction
- Electromagnetic Wave vs Matter Wave
- Fraunhofer vs Fresnel Diffraction
- Electromagnetic Radiation vs Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Diffraction vs Interference
- Photon vs Phonon
- Doppler Effect in Sound vs Light
- Dispersion vs Scattering of Light