Can a Wave be in freefall?

In summary, a particle by its very nature can be described by a position in space. Waves, on the other hand, are streched out over a long(at least longer that point particle) section of space. This makes it difficult to speak of a wave as having a "position" so it cannot make sense for you to speak of it free falling.
  • #1
ranyart
370
0
In QM, particles are treated as either waves or particles, a duality exists. A test particle in freefall is used in all manner of ways to explain certain phenonema.

Can the same experiments be equivilent to waves?..can a wave be explained in any way as in 'freefall'?
 
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  • #2
I'd have to say no.

A particle by its very nature can be described by a position in space. In other words you can tell me where it is, but a wave is streched out over a long(at least longer that point particle) section of space. It makes no sense to speak of a wave as having a "position" so it cannot make sense for you to speak of it free falling.
 
  • #3
No you can't. You would have to look at it in a different way. You normally solve the Schrodinger equation to find the wavefunction. In a system with gravity you add the gravitational potential to the Schrodinger equation and then solve it. This is of course not relativistically invariant. But what you find is more or less the same as a particle in a potential well, with bound and free states. I read a Nature article on this once. Perhaps you can find something on it there.
 
  • #4
I think you can, but as heumpje says, it will not be relativisticaly invariant. Actually, you do the same thing when solving one electron problems with the Schrödinger equation. In principle, the problem is already solved, you only have to change a few constants in the solution for the hydrogen problem, but it would be of litle interest because there is no situation in nature where a non relativistic aproximation of gravitation interaction at the quantum level is valid. For example, we wouldn't be able to use that solution on the surface of a black hole where gravity is so intense and thus has to be treated relativisticaly.
 
  • #5
wouldn't a wave be described by a field?
 

1. Can a wave be in freefall?

Yes, a wave can be in freefall. When a wave is in freefall, it means that it is moving through space without any external forces acting on it. This usually occurs when a wave is traveling through a vacuum, such as outer space.

2. What causes a wave to be in freefall?

A wave can be in freefall when there are no external forces acting on it. This can happen in a vacuum or in a medium where there is no resistance or friction to slow down the wave's movement.

3. Can a sound wave be in freefall?

Yes, a sound wave can be in freefall. In outer space, where there is no medium for the sound to travel through, a sound wave can be in freefall. However, in a medium such as air, sound waves are affected by gravity and do not experience freefall.

4. What is the difference between a wave in freefall and a stationary wave?

A wave in freefall is constantly moving through space without any external forces acting on it, while a stationary wave is a wave that appears to be standing still. A stationary wave is created by the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions, while a wave in freefall is not affected by any external interference.

5. Can a light wave be in freefall?

Yes, a light wave can be in freefall. Light waves are a type of electromagnetic wave, and like all electromagnetic waves, they can travel through a vacuum without any external forces acting on them. In fact, most of the light we receive from stars and galaxies has traveled through freefall in outer space before reaching our eyes.

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