What Does 'Mass' Mean for Non-Existent Holes?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of 'holes' in electronics, specifically addressing their mass despite being non-physical entities. It explains that holes can possess a position and charge, and when subjected to a constant electric field, they exhibit acceleration as described by Newton's law (F = qE = ma). The mass of a hole is identified as an emergent property arising from the motion of electrons, which creates the effect of a positively charged particle moving in the opposite direction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electronics concepts, including charge and electric fields.
  • Familiarity with Newton's laws of motion, particularly F = ma.
  • Knowledge of the behavior of electrons in conductive materials.
  • Concept of emergent properties in physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of holes in semiconductor physics.
  • Explore the relationship between charge carriers and electric fields in materials.
  • Study the concept of emergent properties in physics and how they apply to particle physics.
  • Learn about the behavior of electrons and holes in different semiconductor materials.
USEFUL FOR

Electronics engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in semiconductor technology and the behavior of charge carriers in materials.

bluejay27
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What does it mean for the holes to have mass? But they are not physically existent.
 
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In electronics?

You realize that there is a phenomenon that is represented by the concept of a hole, and that a hole can have a position and a charge right? Starting from there:

When you apply an constant electric field to a hole, it's v-t graph is a straight line with a non-zero slope. ie. it accelerates. Applying Newton's law: F = qE = ma... where q is the charge of the hole and m is it's mass.

The inertia of the hole is an emergent property from the motion of the electrons ... you have to do some work to accelerate all these electrons to give the appearance that there is a positive charged thingy moving the other way.
 

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