Can you measure momentum

A particle's velocity can be measured just as you've described. If you shoot the particles through apertures that are much larger than their wavelength, the wavelike effects are minimal and they continue with basically the same momentum. If you squeeze the target aperture, though, particles that pass through continue with the same speed, but in different directions.

Therefore, we will know less and less about which way it goes afterwards. There are many ways to measure the energy of a particle.

You're right to recognize the relationship between the wavelength and the momentum, but these values are related algebraically. While we can measure the speed of photons in a vacuum, that is a defined unit, so we're really measuring the length of a meter when we perform that experiment. For a cold atom experiment, experimentalists use time-of-flight TOF measurement to determine the momentum distribution of atoms in the optical trap.

Suppose there are an ensemble of atoms trapped in the optical trap, when the optical trap is switched off, the atoms will "fly around" with their momentum. With detectors installed around the trap, one could obtain both the value and direction of atomic momenta, which could be gathered to contruct the momentum distribution. Your method for measuring observables is perfectly good but there are many other ways to measure observable quantities.

Firstly, there is no perfect way to measure these observables, but the most commonly used one is to measure its deflection when it is passing through a magnetic field. This method is used in many places like CERN. Even though this method works only for charged particles, most particles in the Standard model are charged and deflect when they are passed through a magnetic field.

ARPES gives information on the direction, speed and scattering process of valence electrons in the sample being studied usually a solid. This means that information can be gained on both the energy and momentum of an electron, resulting in detailed information on band dispersion and Fermi surface. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

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