Different Wavelengths of Light in Particle View

[Vorde]

I completely understand how different shades of light (red, blue, UV, Radio etc...) can be explained when light is viewed as a wave (different wavelengths etc..). However I am curious as to how different frequencies of light are possible when light is considered as photons instead of a wave.



I apologize if this is in the wrong category, I was unsure where to post this.

 

[Drakkith]

I completely understand how different shades of light (red, blue, UV, Radio etc...) can be explained when light is viewed as a wave (different wavelengths etc..). However I am curious as to how different frequencies of light are possible when light is considered as photons instead of a wave.



I apologize if this is in the wrong category, I was unsure where to post this.

The thing is, you CANNOT look at light as either a particle or a wave, you MUST look at it as both. The energy of a photon cannot be explained using a strictly particle view. This is because the photon always travels at c. Since it can never slow down then it would never have any difference in energies. Only using frequency and wavelike properties can this be explained.

 

[timthereaper]

I agree with Drakkith. You can't take light and try to put in either the "wave" container or the "particle" container. You have to say that light is its own container and put the properties of both wave and particle in it.