Help i need a explanation for this

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Rico L
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on William Herschel's experiment using a sensitive mercury thermometer to measure temperature variations across the spectrum of light. The key finding is that as the thermometer moves from violet to red, the temperature increases, indicating a change in energy. This raises questions about the relationship between energy, frequency, and wavelength, particularly in the context of the equation E = hf, where energy is dependent on frequency. The conclusion is that frequency and wavelength are intrinsically linked, as they are both manifestations of the same electromagnetic radiation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic radiation principles
  • Familiarity with Planck's constant and the equation E = hf
  • Basic knowledge of the relationship between frequency and wavelength
  • Experience with experimental methods in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between frequency and wavelength in electromagnetic waves
  • Study the implications of Planck's constant in quantum mechanics
  • Explore Herschel's contributions to astronomy and thermometry
  • Learn about the principles of light diffraction and its effects on energy measurement
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators in the field of astronomy, and anyone interested in the principles of electromagnetic radiation and energy measurement.

Rico L
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I got this from a book anyway

An astronomer called William Herchel used some very accurate and sensitive mercury thermometer, he placed one in front of a spectrum of light and found that as he moved it across the bands of different colors from violet to red,the temperature rose.


this what confuses me...

The equation for energy of the EM ray is E = hf which is Planks constant times the frequency, so that the energy is only depend on the frequency because the Planks constant is a constant...X)but from the experiment above, it seems that the energy changes because of the wavelength..."the temperature changed when he moved the thermometer across the bands of different colors," does it mean that the energy also changes when the wavelength are not the same because when the temperature changes which also suggests that the energy has to change... and the diffraction of light doesn't change the frequency but only the wavelength... If not... where the ... is that spare energy comes from?

please come up a explanation for this

please do correct if any of my knowledge is not right...


cheers
 
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Realize that frequency and wavelength of light are related by speed = frequency X wavelength. So light of different 'wavelength' is also light of different 'frequency'. It's two sides of the same coin.
 
ooooh,,, thanks
 

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