PDA

View Full Version : energy/frequency relation in quantum waves


Ian
Mar2-04, 07:16 AM
I read this remark on a post in the classical physics section.

"Sound waves, unlike quantum waves, don't have frequency proportional to energy".

Can anyone expand on this for me?
Why is the frequency in quantum waves related to the wave energy?

Thanks,
Ian.

arivero
Mar2-04, 01:34 PM
It is the primitive postulate. Plank constant, which has units [h]=[p][x]=[E][t] is used to relate energy and frequency, and also momentum and wavelength.

nightlight
Mar2-04, 01:52 PM
Originally posted by Ian
I read this remark on a post in the classical physics section.

"Sound waves, unlike quantum waves, don't have frequency proportional to energy".

Can anyone expand on this for me?
Why is the frequency in quantum waves related to the wave energy?
Ian.
Energy dependens on frequency in many periodic classical systems. Consider an ellastic ball bouncing between two walls - the ball energy will grow with the square of the bounce-cycle frequency.