What does light's frequency actually mean?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter KingNothing
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of frequency in relation to individual photons, exploring its implications for photon behavior and interactions. Participants examine the meaning of frequency in the context of light and its effects on various phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that a single photon can have a frequency, which is determined by its energy as described by the equation E = hf.
  • Others challenge the idea that a photon can have a frequency, questioning the implications of frequency on individual photons.
  • It is noted that many interactions between photons and atoms are frequency-dependent, affecting properties like refractive index and absorption.
  • One participant seeks to clarify the underlying question of why a photon possesses a frequency.
  • Another participant states that the frequency of light indicates that it exhibits wavelike properties.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether a single photon can have a frequency, leading to a lack of consensus on this aspect of the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the relationship between energy and frequency, as well as the implications of frequency on photon behavior, which remain unresolved.

KingNothing
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Can a single photon have frequency?

If a certain light is said to have a a frequency of, say, 500 units, what does that actually mean about how the individual photons act?
 
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It means each photon has energy:

E = hf

No, it does not make sense for a single photon to have a frequency.
 
Yes a photon does have a frequency, determined by the energy, as given in the previous post. Not sure why the previous poster would think that in spite of the photon having energy it does not have a frequency.
 
Most photon/atom interctions are frequency-dependent. Things like refractive index and absorption vary considerably with frequency.

Claude.
 
I think what king is trying is ask is "why does a photon have a frequency?"
 
KingNothing said:
Can a single photon have frequency?
Yes

KingNothing said:
If a certain light is said to have a a frequency of, say, 500 units, what does that actually mean about how the individual photons act?
It means it exhibits wavelike properties.
 

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