Energy dependens on frequency in many periodic classical systems. Consider an ellastic ball bouncing between two walls - the ball energy will grow with the square of the bounce-cycle frequency.Originally posted by Ian
I read this remark on a post in the classical physics section.
"Sound waves, unlike quantum waves, don't have frequency proportional to energy".
Can anyone expand on this for me?
Why is the frequency in quantum waves related to the wave energy?
Ian.
The energy/frequency relation in quantum waves is a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics that describes the relationship between the energy of a particle and its corresponding frequency. It states that the energy of a particle is directly proportional to its frequency, and the constant of proportionality is known as Planck's constant.
In classical mechanics, the energy of a particle is proportional to its speed and mass, while in quantum mechanics, the energy is proportional to the frequency of the particle. This distinction is due to the wave-like nature of particles in quantum mechanics, as opposed to the purely particle-like behavior in classical mechanics.
One example of the energy/frequency relation in action is in the photoelectric effect, where the energy of a photon (a particle of light) is directly proportional to its frequency. This was one of the key experiments that led to the development of quantum mechanics.
The energy/frequency relation has a significant impact on the behavior of particles, as it dictates how they interact with each other and with their surroundings. It also helps to explain phenomena such as the quantization of energy levels in atoms and the behavior of particles in quantum fields.
Yes, there are numerous practical applications of the energy/frequency relation in quantum mechanics. One example is in the development of quantum technologies, such as quantum computing and quantum cryptography. It also plays a crucial role in understanding and manipulating the behavior of particles in various fields, such as particle physics and chemistry.