Group Velocity and Phase Velocity

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the group velocity (v_g) and phase velocity (v_p) of 7.0 MeV protons and electrons. The group velocity is derived using the formula v_g = ∂E/∂p, resulting in v_g ≈ 0.007460 × c for protons and v_g ≈ 0.9973 × c for electrons. The phase velocity is calculated as v_p = c^2/v_g. The participants express uncertainty regarding the accuracy of their calculations, particularly questioning the inclusion of the -mc² term in the energy equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of relativistic energy-momentum relation
  • Familiarity with the concepts of group velocity and phase velocity
  • Knowledge of particle physics, specifically proton and electron mass values
  • Basic calculus for differentiation in physics equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of the relativistic energy-momentum relation
  • Study the implications of group and phase velocities in wave mechanics
  • Explore the significance of the -mc² term in energy calculations
  • Investigate the behavior of particles at relativistic speeds
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students studying particle physics, and anyone interested in the dynamics of high-energy particles and wave phenomena.

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Obtain the group velocity [tex]v_g[/tex] and phase velocity [tex]v_p[/tex] of 7.0 MeV protons/electrons. Write each answer as a multiple of the speed of light [tex]c[/tex].

My work:

1. Finding the group velocity:

[tex]v_g = \frac{\partial \omega}{\partial k} = \frac{\partial \left( E / \hbar \right)}{\partial \left( p / \hbar \right)} = \frac{\partial E}{\partial p}[/tex]

[tex]v_g = \frac{\partial E}{\partial p} = \frac{\partial}{\partial p} \left( \sqrt{p^2c^2 + m^2c^4} - mc^2 \right) = \frac{pc^2}{\sqrt{p^2c^2 + m^2c^4}}[/tex]

[tex]v_g = \frac{pc}{\sqrt{\left( pc \right) ^2 + \left( mc^2 \right) ^2}} \times c[/tex]

If [tex]E = pc = 7.0 \times 10 ^6 \mbox{ eV}[/tex] and the mass of protons and electrons are known, it is possible to obtain [tex]v_g[/tex].

Assuming

[tex]m = 938.27 \mbox{ MeV}/c^2[/tex] for a proton
[tex]m = 0.51100 \mbox{ MeV}/c^2[/tex] for an electron

the values [tex]v_g \approx 0.007460 \times c[/tex] (for protons) and [tex]v_g \approx 0.9973 \times c[/tex] (for electrons) are obtained.

2. The phase velocity is simply

[tex]v_p = \frac{c^2}{v_g} = \frac{c}{v_g} \times c[/tex].

I believe there is a mistake in my approach; those numbers don't look right. Any help is highly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
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thiago_j said:
Obtain the group velocity [tex]v_g[/tex] and phase velocity [tex]v_p[/tex] of 7.0 MeV protons/electrons. Write each answer as a multiple of the speed of light [tex]c[/tex].

My work:

1. Finding the group velocity:

[tex]v_g = \frac{\partial \omega}{\partial k} = \frac{\partial \left( E / \hbar \right)}{\partial \left( p / \hbar \right)} = \frac{\partial E}{\partial p}[/tex]

[tex]v_g = \frac{\partial E}{\partial p} = \frac{\partial}{\partial p} \left( \sqrt{p^2c^2 + m^2c^4} - mc^2 \right) = \frac{pc^2}{\sqrt{p^2c^2 + m^2c^4}}[/tex]

[tex]v_g = \frac{pc}{\sqrt{\left( pc \right) ^2 + \left( mc^2 \right) ^2}} \times c[/tex]

If [tex]E = pc = 7.0 \times 10 ^6 \mbox{ eV}[/tex] and the mass of protons and electrons are known, it is possible to obtain [tex]v_g[/tex].

Assuming

[tex]m = 938.27 \mbox{ MeV}/c^2[/tex] for a proton
[tex]m = 0.51100 \mbox{ MeV}/c^2[/tex] for an electron

the values [tex]v_g \approx 0.007460 \times c[/tex] (for protons) and [tex]v_g \approx 0.9973 \times c[/tex] (for electrons) are obtained.

2. The phase velocity is simply

[tex]v_p = \frac{c^2}{v_g} = \frac{c}{v_g} \times c[/tex].

I believe there is a mistake in my approach; those numbers don't look right. Any help is highly appreciated.

Why the -mc2?
 

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