Difference between dispersive medium and non-dispersive medium.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the differences between dispersive and non-dispersive media, particularly in the context of wave relations and mathematical formulations. Participants explore the implications of these differences on wave behavior and velocity equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for the difference between dispersive and non-dispersive media and presents a mathematical relation for a dispersive medium.
  • Another participant suggests that the relation ω=νsK, derived from the dispersive equation, is valid for both dispersive and non-dispersive media, but notes that in a non-dispersive medium, the phase velocity is constant.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the symbols β (spring constant) and m (mass of atoms) in the context of the equations presented.
  • There is a suggestion that the phase velocity in a dispersive medium varies with the wave vector k, while in a non-dispersive medium, it does not.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of the relation ω=νsK to non-dispersive media, with some asserting it is valid in both cases, while others emphasize the distinction based on the constancy of phase velocity.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions of dispersive and non-dispersive media, particularly how the phase velocity behaves in each case and the implications for wave equations.

shayaan_musta
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Hello experts!

I have 2 questions.

1)Difference between dispersive and non-dispersive medium.

2)ω=\sqrt{\frac{4β}{m}}sin\frac{Ka}{2} is a relation for dispersive medium. How to reduce it to non-dispersive relation? Here is some math work I have performed to reduce it to non-dispersive relation i.e.

At low frequency K→0
so,
sin(\frac{Ka}{2})→\frac{Ka}{2}
so the equation becomes,
ω=\frac{2}{a}νs\frac{Ka}{2}
or,
ω=νsK
where, νs is phase velocity.

So ω=νsK is the relation for non-dispersive medium? Is it?

Thanks in advance.
 
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shayaan_musta said:
Hello experts!

I have 2 questions.

1)Difference between dispersive and non-dispersive medium.

2)ω=\sqrt{\frac{4β}{m}}sin\frac{Ka}{2} is a relation for dispersive medium. How to reduce it to non-dispersive relation? Here is some math work I have performed to reduce it to non-dispersive relation i.e.

At low frequency K→0
so,
sin(\frac{Ka}{2})→\frac{Ka}{2}
so the equation becomes,
ω=\frac{2}{a}νs\frac{Ka}{2}
or,
ω=νsK
where, νs is phase velocity.

So ω=νsK is the relation for non-dispersive medium? Is it?

Thanks in advance.
Don't know what are β and m in your equations, however, for every frequency ω you can write that ω is equal to phase velocity multiplied wave vector modulus k, only that in a dispersive medium the phase velocity is not constant but depends on k (or ω, depending on which is your independent variable):

νs(k) = \frac{ω(k)}{k}

Group velocity (if of interest) is instead the derivative: νg(k) = \frac{dω(k)}{dk}.
 
Late reply.

But you are the only one up till now who replied me. So thanks for reply.

β is spring constant. It is come from the derivation of 1D mono-atomic.

m is the mass of the atoms.

You mean ω=vsk is not for the non-dispersive medium?
 
shayaan_musta said:
Late reply.

But you are the only one up till now who replied me. So thanks for reply.

β is spring constant. It is come from the derivation of 1D mono-atomic.

m is the mass of the atoms.

You mean ω=vsk is not for the non-dispersive medium?
ω=vsk is valid in both cases. If the medium is non-dispersive, vs is a constant, independent of k; if it's dispersive, vs depends on k.
 
Oh great
Thanks a lot.

Best answer.
Thanks.

And one thing I want to say you that kindly, visit this solid state portion at least once a week but try it every week. Because only you are here to answer the post. No one else.

Thanks once again.
 

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