The discussion revolves around the photoelectric effect and its implications for the nature of light, specifically whether it behaves as a particle or a wave. Participants explore the relationship between light frequency, energy levels of electrons in metals, and the immediate ejection of electrons upon illumination.
There is an ongoing exploration of the concepts surrounding the photoelectric effect, with participants examining the limitations of the wave model in explaining threshold frequency and the instantaneous nature of electron ejection. Some guidance has been offered regarding the particle model, but multiple interpretations and questions remain unresolved.
Participants are grappling with the definitions and assumptions related to energy absorption by electrons, the implications of light intensity, and the nature of photon interactions. The discussion reflects a mix of established concepts and uncertainties in understanding the photoelectric effect.
The photon IS the quantization of the wave. The wave is quantized and that shows up as a photon.sss1 said:So the energy of an individual photon is not quantised but the energy of a wave is quantised?
But a photon can have any energy it wants? Whereas the energy of a wave needs to be a multiple of hf?Drakkith said:The photon IS the quantization of the wave. The wave is quantized and that shows up as a photon.
That's the wrong way round. Classically the energy of a wave is not determined by its frequency. The Classical wave model cannot explain certain phenomena like the photoelectric effect.sss1 said:But a photon can have any energy it wants? Whereas the energy of a wave needs to be a multiple of hf?
No. The photon's energy is determined by the frequency of the wave.sss1 said:But a photon can have any energy it wants? Whereas the energy of a wave needs to be a multiple of hf?