Calculating the number of photons in a wave

  • Thread starter Thread starter Daintyg
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Photons Wave
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The original poster attempts to compare the number of photons emitted per second by a 100W light bulb and a 100W FM radio. They reference the equation E=hc/λ to support their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the energy differences between radio photons and visible light photons, with some noting that the frequency of radio waves is significantly lower than that of visible light.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided affirmations regarding the original poster's calculations, indicating that the energy of radio photons is indeed much less than that of visible light photons. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the original poster's conclusion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves assumptions about the wavelength and energy calculations for both types of radiation, which may affect the interpretations of the results.

Daintyg
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



I am trying to answer a relatively simple question. I have been asked to compare the number of Photons in 100W light bulb and a 100W FM Radio per second. Having crunched the numbers it appears that an FM Radio wave gives out more Photons per second than a light bulb. Is this correct?

Homework Equations



I have used E=hc/λ


The Attempt at a Solution



I come out at 2.87x10E20 for a light (Using yellow) and 5.03x10E36 for a radio (the power depends on the wavelength)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You are correct and presumably in your calculation you found that the energy of A radio photon is much less than the energy of a visible light photon.
A radio frequency is very much less than the frequency of visible light
 
Thank you, I was being a dumb arse.
 
No comment:smile:
except to say... don't look at yourself like that.
 

Similar threads

Photon Arrival Rate, Chapter 1.5 from Computer Graphics by Folly
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
How does one calculate the number of photons striking a surface per second?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Calculating attenuation necessary to reduce number of photons
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Wave Particle Duality For Electrons and Photons
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
How many Photons per second are entering the pupil?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Wavelength, speed and frequency question
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Photons per second from lightbulb
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Final momentum of box with reflective interior hit by ideal laser
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Comparing Radio Waves: Short Wave vs. Phone/Radio
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
How can I calculate the number of photons with this data?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K