Frequency of Light: Explained & Examples

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of the frequency of light, particularly in the context of quantum physics. Participants explore the nature of light as a wave, how its frequency relates to color, and methods to change its frequency.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how light can have a frequency and requests examples of changing it.
  • Another participant suggests that understanding the frequency of light should follow knowledge of classical electromagnetism and the wave equation derived from Maxwell's equations.
  • A participant explains that the frequency of light is related to the time variation of the electric and magnetic fields, drawing parallels to regular waves.
  • It is noted that different colors of light correspond to different frequencies.
  • One participant suggests using online resources, such as the electromagnetic spectrum, for further understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the concept that light has a frequency and that it is related to its wave nature. However, there is disagreement regarding the foundational knowledge required to understand this concept, as some participants question the initial query's basis.

Contextual Notes

Some participants imply that prior knowledge of classical electromagnetism is necessary to fully grasp the concept of light frequency, which may not be universally shared among all participants.

dmitrip
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Frequency of light?

hello everybody, first of all i would like to thank you in advance for answering my questions:)

I am currently learning about the foundations of Quantum physics and this statement keeps on coming up and I cannot understand it. What is the frequency of light?? I don't understand how light can have a frequency and can you please give me a simple of example of how you can change the frequency of light?

thanks again
 
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dmitrip said:
hello everybody, first of all i would like to thank you in advance for answering my questions:)

I am currently learning about the foundations of Quantum physics and this statement keeps on coming up and I cannot understand it. What is the frequency of light?? I don't understand how light can have a frequency and can you please give me a simple of example of how you can change the frequency of light?

A rather strange question.

First of all, you should have done classical E&M before this. So haven't you solved for the EM wave using Maxwell equation and got the wave equation? The "frequency" should be rather apparent there. So I'm highly puzzled on why you don't understand how light can have a frequency.

How to change light's frequency? Move the source away or towards you, or you move towards or way from the source (doppler effect). Of have the photon collide with a particle (Compton effect), etc... etc.

I have a feeling, though, that there's some underlying problems with this question.

Zz.
 
dmitrip said:
What is the frequency of light??

at a fixed point in space the electric/magnetic field associated with the light changes in time. The time for the field's amplitude to go from zero up to it's maximum value and back down to zero is half the "period" T. The frequency is one over the period. this is all just like regular waves you probably have studied before.

Different colors of light have different frequencies. etc.
 
What is the frequency of light?? I don't understand how light can have a frequency..
Light is a wave, waves have frequency and wavelength. The frequency and wavelength correspond physically to the colour we see.
 
Google "electromagnetic spectrum" and that should help you answer some of your questions.
 

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