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for de Broglie waves

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uncertainty principle:<br />

It is impossible to know both the exact position & exact<br />

momentum of an object at the same time.<br />

Figure3.13 An isolated wave group is the result of superposing an infinite number of <strong>waves</strong> with<br />

different wavelengths. The narrower the wave group, the greater the range of wavelengths involves. A<br />

narrow <strong>de</strong> <strong>Broglie</strong> wave group thus means a well-<strong>de</strong>fined position ( ) but a poorly <strong>de</strong>fined<br />

wavelength and a large uncertainty in the momentum of the particle the group represents. A wi<strong>de</strong><br />

wave group means a more precise momentum but a less precise position.<br />

An infinite # of wave trains with different frequencies wave<br />

numbers and amplitu<strong>de</strong> is required <strong>for</strong> an isolated group of<br />

arbitrary shape.<br />

<br />

<br />

0<br />

x<br />

gk<br />

cos kxdk Fourier integral<br />

g(k): amplitu<strong>de</strong> of the <strong>waves</strong> varying with k , furrier trans<strong>for</strong>m<br />

of φ(x)<br />

Figure3.14 The wave functions and Fourier trans<strong>for</strong>ms <strong>for</strong> (a) a pulse, (b) a wave group, (c) an wave<br />

train, and (d) a gaussian distribution. A brief disturbance needs a broa<strong>de</strong>r range of frequencies to<br />

<strong>de</strong>scribe it than a disturbance of greater duration. The Fourier trans<strong>for</strong>m of a gaussian function is also a<br />

gaussian function.<br />

18

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