Pertaining to the properties of electromagnetic radiation/ quanta

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of electromagnetic radiation and the wave-like behavior of matter, particularly in the context of quantum mechanics. Participants explore questions regarding the reasons for these properties and their relationship to energy concentration and particle mass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express uncertainty about the existence of definitive answers regarding the wave-like properties of matter and seek semi-valid theories to explain these phenomena.
  • There is a question about why the wavelength of particles increases as their mass decreases, with a request for a more precise explanation than the inverse relationship to frequency.
  • One participant references de Broglie's laws as a potential answer to the question about wavelength and mass.
  • Another participant questions the meaning of "explain" in the context of quantum mechanics and notes that the core postulates do not explicitly mention "waves."
  • Some participants suggest that wave-like behaviors such as interference patterns can be understood through experimental facts, referencing phenomena like Young's double slit experiment.
  • There is a claim that wave-like properties can be explained using the photon picture, emphasizing a singular description of light in quantum mechanics.
  • A participant indicates that they have resolved their confusion independently after engaging with the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views regarding the explanation of wave-like properties in quantum mechanics, and no consensus is reached on the nature of these explanations or the underlying principles.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of understanding and interpretation of quantum mechanics, with some points remaining unresolved, particularly regarding the definitions and implications of wave behavior.

professor
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i do not believe that there is an answer, though i wish to be sure weather or not there are any semi-valid atleast theories on the reason for the wavelike properties exhibited in matter, and why they become more prevalent as the matter is of more concentrated energy (in photon for example compared to a hydrogen atom)
 
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well then... i suppose not
 
I understand your first question, but I don't know what do you mean with the second one.
 
my second question is why the wavelength of particles becomes larger, as the particles become smaller in mass (and i mean a more exact definitoin than because the it changes proportionatley inverse to the frequency)
 
The second answer is given by de Broglie's laws.
 
thank you for that... and is there any answer that you know of explaining the properties of such waves-why they occour (the first question) could this be explained under quantum mechanics?
 
What does it mean to "explain," exactly?
 
There's no place in the postulates of quantum mechanics where "waves" occur. In scattering theory one uses the term "partial waves","spherical outgoing waves" when mentioning Sommerfeld condition, but no, nowhere in the axiomatical core.

Daniel.
 
Last edited:
I guess he means something like interference patterns, like what you get with Young's double slit experiment.

The explanation, I guess, is that it's an experimental fact.
 
  • #10
MalleusScientiarum said:
I guess he means something like interference patterns, like what you get with Young's double slit experiment.

The explanation, I guess, is that it's an experimental fact.

Wave-like properties such as diffraction and interference CAN be explained via the photon picture (re: the Marcella paper for example). There are no "dual" description of light in QM, only ONE.

Zz.
 
  • #11
okay i did some research, and decided that i already knew the answer, and managed to find away around my mental block... thanks though it was you guys that allowed me to get around it :)
 

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