The difference between a matter wave and a light wave lies in the nature of the particles associated with each type of wave.
Light waves, also known as electromagnetic waves, are composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. They are generated by the acceleration of charged particles, such as electrons, and can travel through a vacuum or a medium like air or water. Light waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes various types of waves such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. They exhibit properties such as diffraction, interference, and polarization.
On the other hand, matter waves are associated with particles of matter, such as electrons, protons, or atoms. According to quantum mechanics, particles possess both particle-like and wave-like properties. The concept of matter waves is described by wave-particle duality. The most famous equation related to matter waves is the de Broglie wavelength equation, which states that the wavelength of a particle is inversely proportional to its momentum. This equation suggests that particles can exhibit wave-like behavior, and their wavelengths can be calculated using the equation λ = h/p, where λ is the wavelength, h is Planck's constant, and p is the momentum of the particle.
The wave-like behavior of matter waves can be observed in phenomena such as electron diffraction, where electrons passing through a double slit exhibit an interference pattern similar to that of light waves. This behavior is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics and is distinct from classical physics.
In summary, the key distinction between matter waves and light waves is that matter waves are associated with particles of matter and exhibit wave-like behavior, while light waves are electromagnetic waves generated by the acceleration of charged particles and exhibit a range of properties within the electromagnetic spectrum.