Quantum mechanics relation between p, λ, E, f in a wave

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In quantum mechanics, the relationships between momentum, wavelength, energy, and frequency are critical, represented by equations p = ħk = h/λ and E = hf = ħω. A wave traveling on a string with a 10 cm amplitude, a wavelength of 0.5 m, and a period of 0.1 seconds has a calculated wave speed of 5 m/s and a wave equation of y(x,t) = 10 sin(12.566x – 62.8t). The tension in the string is 0.01 N, leading to a mass per unit length of 0.0004 kg/m. The discussion also explores substituting quantum relations into the wave equation and the invariance of kx - ωt under Lorentz transformations, highlighting the connection between quantum mechanics and wave dynamics. Understanding these principles is essential for analyzing the energy density and power of waves on a string.
Samuelriesterer
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Problem statement, equations, and work done:

In quantum mechanics, there is a relation between momentum and wavelength and between energy and frequency. These are:

##p=\hbar k = \frac{h}{\lambda}##
##E = hf = \hbar \omega##

A wave with an amplitude of 10cm is traveling on a string in the +x direction. The distance between wave crests (tops of oscillations) is 0.5 meters and the string oscillates up and down with a period of 0.10 seconds.

[1] Calculate the wavelength, write the equation for the wave and calculate the wave speed.

##T=0.1 s##
##f = 10 Hz##
##\lambda = 0.5 m##
##A = 10 cm##
##k = \frac{2\pi}{\lambda} = 12.566##
##v = \frac{\lambda}{T} = 5 m/s##
##\omega = 2\pi f = 62.8 rad/sec##
##y(x,t) = A sin(kx - \omega t) = 10 sin(12.566x – 62.8t)##

[2] If the tension in the string is 0.01N, determine the mass per unit length of the string.

##F_t = \mu v^2 → \mu = \frac{F_T}{v^2} = \frac{0.01 N}{(5 m/s)^2} = 0.0004 kg/m##

[3] Use the quantum relations above to substitute momentum and energy for k and ω in the wave equation,; make sure to put the constant in the right places.

##p = \hbar k = \frac{h}{\lambda}##
##E = h f = \hbar \omega##
##k = \frac{p}{\hbar} = \frac{h}{\lambda \hbar}##
##\omega = \frac{E}{\hbar} = \frac{h}{f \hbar}##
##Asin(kx-\omega t) = A sin (\frac{px}{\hbar} - \frac{Et}{\hbar}) = Asin (\frac{hx}{\lambda \hbar} - \frac{ht}{f \hbar})##

[4] Show that kx-ωt is invariant under the Lorentz transformation. That is, with the E and p substitutions, show that, for an observer moving in the direction of wave travel, transforming x,t,E and p produces the same expression as in the original frame. It is helpful to think of vectors and dot products here.

OK this is where I am stuck.

[5] Waves carry energy from place to place. To calculate the energy density and power of a wave, start with Power = F•v. Using the note posted to the Canvas Syllabus on the speed of a wave on a string, show that the power is equal to:

##P = F_y \cdot v_y = -F_T tan(\theta) \cdot \frac{\partial y}{\partial t}##

Next, use:
##tan(\theta) = \frac{\partial y}{\partial t}##

to get:
##P = -F_T \frac{\partial y}{\partial x} \frac{\partial y}{\partial t}##

Given y = Asin(kx-ωt), calculate the two partial derivatives and write the full expression for the power. Eliminate FT using v2 = FT/μ and substitute for one of the velocity terms the correct combination of wave parameters ω and k.

Finally for the power, calculate the average power during one cycle by calculating the average of cosine squared over one period.

##f_{average} = <f> = \frac{1}{b-a} \int_a^b f(x) dx##
##<cos^2 (\theta)> = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int 0^{2\pi} cos^2(\theta) d\theta##

The graph attached may be of help in determining that average value.

[6] Lastly, to get the energy density, use the power as the energy delivered per unit time, so E(Δt) = P Δt and the energy density will be the energy per unit length of string , so Energy density u = E(Δt)/Δx. Carry out these steps to get an expression for the energy density of a wave on a string.
 

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Samuelriesterer said:
Use the quantum relations above to substitute momentum and energy for k and ω
I think the form wanted is this one:
##A sin (\frac{px}{\hbar} - \frac{Et}{\hbar})##
Samuelriesterer said:
transforming x,t,E and p
What are the Lorentz transformations for those variables?
 
I think I see something but we haven’t got that far in the Lorentz transformations. So would it be:

##x’ =\gamma (x-vt)##
##t’= \gamma (t - \frac{v}{c^2} x)##
##p=\gamma mv##
##E=\gamma mc^2##
 
Samuelriesterer said:
I think I see something but we haven’t got that far in the Lorentz transformations. So would it be:

##x’ =\gamma (x-vt)##
##t’= \gamma (t - \frac{v}{c^2} x)##
##p=\gamma mv##
##E=\gamma mc^2##
I guess so. (Never studied either quantum theory or relativity myself.)
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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