Compton's Effective Velocity and de Broglie == numerology?

In summary, Compton's 1923 paper discusses the relationship between the angular dependence of scattered wavelength and the Doppler Shift caused by an electron moving with the incident wave. Interestingly, the de Broglie wavelength for an electron moving at this speed is equal to the Doppler shifted wavelength of the incident electromagnetic wave. This consistency in values is not just a coincidence, but rather a reflection of the internal consistency required in science. This concept is further explored in Holger Mueller's paper on quantum mechanics and moving clocks.
  • #1
fizzle
46
1
In Compton's 1923 paper, he notes that the scattered wavelength's angular dependence is identical to the Doppler Shift due to an electron moving with the incident wave at an effective velocity:
$$\beta = \frac{ h \nu_0 } { h \nu_0 + m_0 c^2 }$$
What's really interesting is that if you calculate the de Broglie wavelength for an electron moving at that speed, it's the same as the Doppler shifted wavelength of the incident electromagnetic wave:
$$\lambda = \sqrt{ \frac{2 h \nu_0 + m_0 c^2 }{ m_0 c^2 } } \lambda_0$$
It's seems odd that these two values are identical. Is this just numerology or can we gather any physical information from it?

Of course, another numerology result is that the de Broglie wavelength at a given speed is identical to the beat frequency "wavelength" of two Doppler-shifted incident electromagnetic waves of the Compton wavelength (from the front and behind).
 
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  • #2
fizzle said:
It's seems odd that these two values are identical. Is this just numerology or can we gather any physical information from it?
There is a requirement that any field of science be internally consistent. Reaching the same conclusion via two routes is not “numerology” so much as internally consistent “equational humour”.

Quantum mechanics, matter waves, and moving clocks, 2013, Holger Mueller
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1312.6449.pdf
 

FAQ: Compton's Effective Velocity and de Broglie == numerology?

1. What is Compton's Effective Velocity and how is it related to de Broglie?

Compton's Effective Velocity is a concept in physics that refers to the velocity of a particle as seen by an observer. It is related to de Broglie's theory of wave-particle duality, which states that all particles have both wave-like and particle-like properties. Specifically, Compton's Effective Velocity takes into account the momentum and energy of a particle, which are both factors in de Broglie's equation for the wavelength of a particle.

2. How does Compton's Effective Velocity affect the behavior of particles?

Compton's Effective Velocity plays a significant role in determining the behavior of particles, particularly at the atomic and subatomic level. It is a crucial factor in understanding phenomena such as diffraction and interference, which are characteristic of wave-like behavior. It also helps explain the behavior of particles in quantum systems, where their position and momentum cannot be known simultaneously.

3. Can Compton's Effective Velocity and de Broglie's theory be applied to macroscopic objects?

While Compton's Effective Velocity and de Broglie's theory were originally developed to explain the behavior of particles on a microscopic scale, they can also be applied to macroscopic objects. For example, Compton's Effective Velocity can be used to describe the motion of electrons in a conductor, and de Broglie's theory has been successfully applied to explain the behavior of large molecules and even entire viruses.

4. Is there any evidence to support the relationship between Compton's Effective Velocity and de Broglie's theory?

Yes, there is a wealth of experimental evidence that supports the relationship between Compton's Effective Velocity and de Broglie's theory. For instance, the results of the double-slit experiment, which shows the wave-like behavior of particles, can be explained using both concepts. Additionally, numerous experiments have been conducted to directly measure the wavelength of particles, providing further evidence for the validity of de Broglie's theory.

5. How does Compton's Effective Velocity and de Broglie's theory relate to the larger field of quantum mechanics?

Compton's Effective Velocity and de Broglie's theory are essential components of the larger field of quantum mechanics, which seeks to understand the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. Both concepts are crucial in explaining the wave-particle duality of particles, as well as other phenomena observed in quantum systems. They also play a vital role in the development of technologies such as transistors, lasers, and computer memory, which rely on the principles of quantum mechanics.

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