Electron vs Photon question? Significance of momentum?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of electrons and photons in terms of energy, wavelength, and momentum, particularly in the context of microscopy. Participants explore the implications of these properties for applications such as electron and optical microscopes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the relationship between energy, wavelength, and momentum for electrons and photons, with some asserting that the original poster's assumptions may be incorrect. There are inquiries about the significance of electron momentum in microscopy and other applications, as well as the limitations of optical microscopes compared to electron microscopes.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and questioning each other's assumptions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between momentum and wavelength, but there is no explicit consensus on the significance of electron momentum or the feasibility of using non-visible wavelengths in light microscopy.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating complex concepts related to quantum mechanics and optics, including the de Broglie wavelength and the properties of different types of electromagnetic radiation. There are also references to specific applications and limitations of microscopy techniques.

  • #31
curiousmind04 said:
Do the mirrors have a reflective index that tends towards one with increasing frequency?
Mirrors are made with highly reflecting materials, usually from metals, like gold or aluminium. Metals have high refractive index and high absorption, both changing with frequency, and above some frequency, they do not behave like metals any more.
 
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  • #32
comparing wavelengths is one issue and comparing energies and momenta is another. comparison works fine for altogether different systems such as optical and electron microscopy instruments because mathematics is simpler and equivalent. Photons will not work in electron microscopy and electrons will not work in optical microscopy instruments.

Coming to the second issue, momentum and energy of two particles in non relativistic case and for particles with non-zero rest mass is simply:
P = √2mE and [E = (p^2)/2m]. The first equation tells us that the momentum of the heavier of the two particles having equal energy will be larger. and second equation tells us that the the energy of the heavier particle of the particles with same momentum will be smaller. I think such a comparison should not be made between photon and an electron.
 

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