Phase velocity and group velocity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the relationship between phase velocity and group velocity in a medium, specifically aiming to demonstrate that group velocity is half of phase velocity. Participants clarify that the index of refraction is inversely proportional to vacuum wavelength and provide formulas for both velocities. The user attempts to derive the relationship using the derivative of angular frequency with respect to wave number and the definitions of phase and group velocities. There is some confusion about the initial premise, as it is emphasized that the goal is to prove the equality rather than assume it. The conversation highlights the need for a clearer understanding of the underlying principles to proceed with the proof.
nuttyquark
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I am kind of stuck in a question relating to phase velocity and group velocity.

I have been given that the index of refraction of a media is inversely propotional to the vacuum wavelength. And we are supposed to show the group velocity is half the phase velocity.

Now, the work I have done thus far is to have a relation between phase velocity and group velocity consisting of (dn/d{lambda}) where n is index of refraction. I don't know how to proceed from there..

Please guide me in the right direction.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm not sure I have the right idea in mind, but here you go...

Group Velocity:

v_{\mbox{group}} = \frac{d\omega}{dk}

Phase Velocity:

v_{\mbox{phase}} = \frac{\omega}{k}

So, according to what you said: "we are supposed to show the group velocity is half the phase velocity", we have:

\frac{d\omega}{dk} = \frac{1}{2} \left( \frac{\omega}{k} \right)

Consider the following:

\omega = 2\pi f = 2\pi \left( \frac{c}{\lambda} \right) = 2\pi \left[ \frac{c}{\left(\ \frac{2\pi}{k} \right)} \right] = ck

Then:

\frac{d\omega}{dk} = c = n \left( \frac{\omega}{k} \right)

We obtain

n \left( \frac{\omega}{k} \right) = \frac{1}{2} \left( \frac{\omega}{k} \right)

and so

n = \frac{1}{2}

Again, this is just a shot in the dark...
 
You might have misunderstood the question thiago..

we are not given that group velocity is half phase velocity..i need to prove that equality using the fact the n=A/L0 where LO is vacuum wavelength..
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top