How to increase wave amplitudes

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between wave amplitude, intensity, and photon interactions, particularly in the context of the photoelectric effect and wave coherence. Participants explore how amplitude can influence intensity and whether coherent waves can combine to affect these properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that in the photoelectric effect, frequency determines photon energy, while amplitude relates to intensity, questioning how amplitude can lead to the liberation of multiple photons.
  • Another participant explains that in classical terms, increasing light intensity raises the amplitudes of electric and magnetic fields, while in quantum terms, it increases the number of photons arriving at a surface.
  • A participant wonders if two photons can combine to increase amplitude and questions if two electrons can combine to increase frequency and energy, particularly in relation to tunneling.
  • A later reply asserts that two electrons cannot combine in this manner.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the combination of photons and electrons, with some proposing the possibility of photon combination for amplitude increase, while another participant firmly disagrees regarding electron combination.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the behavior of photons and electrons that are not fully explored, and the implications of coherence in wave interactions are not resolved.

drl
Messages
31
Reaction score
2
In reading about the photoelectric effect I noted that frequency accounts for the energy of the photon which must be high enough to liberate free electrons and the amplitude is the cause of intensity.Now, how can the amplitude be responsible for more than the liberation of more than one photon and I wonder if 2 or more coherent waves can combine so that the frequency remains the same and the amplitude increases with additional photons to increase intensity,.otherwise, how is intensity mediated? Thanks for your time and efforts.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In the classical picture, increasing the intensity of the light (more precisely, the energy flux density a.k.a. power density joules per m2 per second) increases the amplitudes of the electric and magnetic fields (volts per meter, and tesla, respectively) in the light waves.

In the quantum picture, increasing the intensity of the light (for a given fixed frequency) increases the number of photons arriving at a surface per m2 per second. The energy per photon depends on the frequency or wavelength of the light.
drl said:
I wonder if 2 or more coherent waves can combine so that the frequency remains the same and the amplitude increases with additional photons to increase intensity
Yes, according to the statements above.
 
Now, was just wondering if 2 photons of light can combine to produce an increase in amplitude, can 2 electrons combine to produce an increase in frequency and energy in order to explain tunneling?
 
drl said:
, can 2 electrons combine

No.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
683
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K