De Broglie Wavelength & Classical EM Wavelength Comparison

In summary, the de Broglie wavelength is a concept that is no longer used and was created when there was a lack of understanding of quantum mechanics. It is not meaningful to compare the de Broglie wavelength of a particle to the classical EM wavelength as particles do not have an EM wavelength and EM waves can have any wavelength.
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rictor
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Under what condition would particle de Broglie wavelength be equal to the classical EM wavelength?
 
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A particle is different from an EM wave and so it doesn't have an EM wavelength. So there is no special value to call "the classical EM wavelength". And EM waves can have any wavelength, so you can find some EM wave with a wavelength equal to the de Broglie wavelength of some particle but there is no meaning behind it. Its like picking an apple and asking whether there is any car with the same color as this apple. Yes, there is. But...what's the point?
Also the de Broglie wavelength is something that is no longer used. Its an obsolete concept. It was there when people still didn't completely understand quantum mechanics.
 
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What is the De Broglie wavelength?

The De Broglie wavelength is a concept in quantum mechanics that describes the wavelength of a particle's wave function. It is named after French physicist Louis de Broglie who proposed that matter, like light, has both particle and wave-like properties.

What is the classical EM wavelength?

The classical electromagnetic (EM) wavelength is a concept in classical physics that describes the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave. It is based on the properties of electric and magnetic fields and is described by Maxwell's equations.

How do the De Broglie wavelength and classical EM wavelength differ?

The main difference between the De Broglie wavelength and the classical EM wavelength is the nature of the particles/waves they describe. The De Broglie wavelength is used to describe the wave-like behavior of matter, while the classical EM wavelength is used to describe the wave-like behavior of electromagnetic radiation.

Can the De Broglie wavelength and classical EM wavelength be compared?

Yes, the De Broglie wavelength and classical EM wavelength can be compared in terms of their mathematical equations. For example, the De Broglie wavelength is inversely proportional to the momentum of a particle, while the classical EM wavelength is inversely proportional to the frequency of an electromagnetic wave.

Why is it important to understand the De Broglie wavelength and classical EM wavelength?

Understanding the De Broglie wavelength and classical EM wavelength is important because it helps us understand the behavior of matter and electromagnetic radiation. It also helps bridge the gap between classical and quantum mechanics, and has practical applications in fields such as particle physics and quantum computing.

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