Derivation and Theoretical Significance of the Characteristic Velocity vc = h / (mL).
Abstract
Quantum mechanics reveals that particles exhibit wave-like behavior governed by their de Broglie wavelength:λ_dB = h / (mv), where h is Planck’s constant, m is the particle’s mass, and v is its velocity. Observability of quantum effects (e.g., interference, diffraction) depends on how λ_dB compares to the characteristic length scale L of a system. This work derives a universal velocity scale, vc = h / (mL), that quantifies the kinematic regime where wave phenomena tied to L emerge most prominently.
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