Group Velocity in terms of Wavlength and velocity

Sswift
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Show that the group velocity
vg=dω/dk
can be written as
vg=v-λ*dv/dλ

where v = phase velocity

Homework Equations



n=n(k)=c/v
k=2∏/λ
ω=2∏f=kv
fλ=c

The Attempt at a Solution


dω/dk = d(kv)/dk= v+k(dv/dk)= v+ck(d(n^-1)/dk) =v-(ck/n^2)(dn/dk)
=>v-(vk/n)(dn/dk) = v-(ω/n)(dn/dk) = v- (2∏f*v/c)(dn/dk)
=> v(1-(1/λ)(dn/d(1/λ))
I'm not sure where to go from here, I've been working at this a while and I'm not sure how I could get the 1/λ to become just a λ. I'm also not sure how to get my n in dn/d(1/λ) to be a v since say if I multiply that term by c/c then I get

v(1-(c/λ)d(1/v)/d(1/λ)) where c/λ is really just f
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Don't mess with n.
Write w as a function of k and v where w = 2pi f.
Then take dw
The rest is just messing around with k = 2pi/lambda, eliminating k.
You will also need dv/dk. Hint: chain rule.
 
Got it, thanks that was way easier than I was making it
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top