Lack of quantum effects at higher temperatures

In summary, the article discusses the classical behavior of liquids and gases at room temperature and the potential reasons for it. The conversation then questions whether this behavior is due to the deBroigle wavelength relation or the vanishing of quantum effects. The article suggests that both effects do occur, but the phase of particle wavelengths only plays a significant role at very low temperatures.
  • #1
trelek2
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I readhttp://www.learner.org/courses/physics/unit/text.html?unit=6&secNum=6" article and started wondering: What is the real reason for classical behavior of liquids gases at room temp?

I have always thought that it is because of the deBroigle wavelength relation. At room T particles have a high momentum and so their wavelengths are very small in comparison with separation between atoms of the fluid. Therefore we don't have quantum interference and no quantum effects?

But in the article (the very last 2 paragraphs) they seem to be saying that the quantum effects vanish because particle wavelengths are out of phase with one another.

Which version of the story is true? Or which truth is more veracious?
 
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  • #2
What they are saying is that as you heat up and oscillating BEC the oscillations begin to dampen out because the heat causes the particles to interfere with each other instead of reinforce the oscillations. This is only occurring at very very low temperatures, far from room temperature. Both effects you list do happen, but the phase of the wavelengths only matters at extremely low temperatures.
 

FAQ: Lack of quantum effects at higher temperatures

What is the concept of "lack of quantum effects at higher temperatures"?

The concept of "lack of quantum effects at higher temperatures" refers to the phenomenon where the quantum mechanical behavior of particles becomes less prominent as the temperature increases. This is because at higher temperatures, the thermal energy of particles overcomes their quantum effects, leading to classical behavior.

Why do quantum effects become less noticeable at higher temperatures?

Quantum effects, such as superposition and entanglement, are only observable at very low temperatures where the thermal energy of particles is minimal. As the temperature increases, the thermal energy becomes dominant and causes particles to behave classically, making quantum effects less noticeable.

What is the critical temperature at which quantum effects disappear?

The critical temperature at which quantum effects disappear varies depending on the system being studied. In general, it is believed to be around 10^-17 Kelvin for most quantum systems. However, for some systems, such as Bose-Einstein condensates, quantum effects may persist at higher temperatures.

What are the implications of the lack of quantum effects at higher temperatures?

The lack of quantum effects at higher temperatures has significant implications for fields such as quantum computing and quantum information processing. It means that these systems must be operated at extremely low temperatures to maintain their quantum behavior, which can be challenging and costly.

Can quantum effects ever be observed at higher temperatures?

While quantum effects become less noticeable at higher temperatures, they can still be observed under certain conditions. For example, some materials may exhibit exotic quantum phenomena at elevated temperatures due to their specific properties. Additionally, new technologies and techniques are constantly being developed to observe and manipulate quantum effects at higher temperatures.

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