Planck's constant on a time-energy wave chart

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between Planck's constant, photon frequency, and their representation in a time-energy wave chart. Participants explore concepts related to the oscillation of photons, their energy, and the implications of these properties in quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether Planck's constant describes the area occupied by wavelengths of various photonic frequencies in a time-energy graph, suggesting a relationship between frequency and amplitude.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the original question, asking if it pertains to energy versus time for a single photon, noting that a photon's energy does not vary with time.
  • There is a discussion about whether a photon oscillates due to its frequency, likening this to a sine wave.
  • One participant explains that the frequency is linked to a quantum-mechanical wave function, emphasizing that oscillation of the wave function does not imply the particle itself oscillates in a classical sense.
  • A later reply questions if high-frequency photons have a "chunkier" position probability distribution compared to low-frequency photons, and whether multiplying frequency by Planck's constant has tangible implications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of photon behavior and the implications of frequency and amplitude in quantum mechanics. There is no consensus on the original question or the relationship between these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully clarified assumptions regarding the nature of photons, oscillation, and the representation of their properties in a time-energy graph. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of quantum mechanics and the mathematical relationships involved.

davidong3000
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Does Planck's constant also describe the area occupied by an entire wavelength of every possible photonic frequency in a time-energy sin/cos graph?

Would that also mean that each photon with high frequencies have higher amplitudes while lower frequency photons have smaller amplitudes on the chart describing the wave?
 
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is this question too hard or too easy for anyone to answer?
 
I suspect that the reason that nobody has answered is that nobody can make sense of your question.

Are you asking about energy versus time for a single photon? A photon has a certain amount of energy that does not vary with time, let alone as a sin/cos graph.
 
a photon also has frequency does it not? if it has frequency does it not osccilate? if it oscilates then that is like a sin graph right?
 
jtbell said:
I suspect that the reason that nobody has answered is that nobody can make sense of your question.

Are you asking about energy versus time for a single photon? A photon has a certain amount of energy that does not vary with time, let alone as a sin/cos graph.


a photon also has frequency does it not? if it has frequency does it not osccilate? if it oscilates then that is like a sin graph right?
 
The frequency is associated with a quantum-mechanical wave function. The square of the wave function gives the probability of finding the particle at different locations. In general, the fact that the wave function oscillates does not mean that the particle itself oscillates in the sense of moving back and forth like a classical mass on a spring, or a water molecule in a water wave.
 
jtbell said:
The frequency is associated with a quantum-mechanical wave function. The square of the wave function gives the probability of finding the particle at different locations. In general, the fact that the wave function oscillates does not mean that the particle itself oscillates in the sense of moving back and forth like a classical mass on a spring, or a water molecule in a water wave.
does this mean that high frequency photons have chunkier position probability distribution wave spread while low frequency ones have their position probability distribution more gradual?

does multiplying the frequency with Planck constant to produce a higher/lower amplitude wave length mean or represent anything tangible ?
 

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