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DB
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Maybe this should be under QM but it's a pretty simple question. How does the amplitude of a light wave varie (if it varies at all), if it doesn't what is the lenght?
Thanks.Gonzolo said:The amplitude^2 of lightwaves is equivalent to the number of photons. It doesn't change spontaneously, it changes when it interacts with matter, where each photon either transmits, reflects, scatters, or gets absorbed.
Gonzolo said:beam amplitude is an electric field
I don't understand how light is the occilation of an electromagnetic Field...Gonzolo said:Light is specifically an oscillating electric field, paired with a (perpendicular) magnetic field
DB said:I don't understand how light is the occilation of an electromagnetic Field...
I've always understood it as electromagnetic radiation.
Light wave amplitude refers to the maximum displacement or height of a light wave from its resting position. It is a measure of the energy carried by a light wave.
The amplitude of a light wave can vary in different ways, depending on the source and medium through which it is traveling. For example, in a vacuum, the amplitude of a light wave remains constant, but in a material medium, it can decrease due to absorption or scattering.
The amplitude of a light wave can be affected by the intensity of the light source, the distance the light travels, and the properties of the medium through which it passes. Additionally, the wavelength of the light can also impact the amplitude of the wave.
The amplitude of a light wave is not directly related to its length. However, the length of a light wave can affect its amplitude indirectly. For example, in a material medium, the length of the light wave can impact how much it is absorbed or scattered, which can in turn affect its amplitude.
Understanding light wave amplitude is important because it helps us to understand how light behaves and interacts with different mediums. It also plays a crucial role in various technologies, such as optics, telecommunications, and medical imaging.