Light waves and their properties

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Light intensity and brightness are directly proportional to the amplitude of light waves, with brightness also influenced by wavelength. The relationship is defined by the principle that brightness or intensity is proportional to the square of the amplitude. Additionally, energy affects the frequency of light waves rather than their amplitude, as the energy of individual photons correlates with frequency, while the total energy of the wave is linked to the square of the amplitude.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light wave properties
  • Familiarity with amplitude and wavelength concepts
  • Knowledge of photon energy and frequency relationship
  • Basic principles of polarization
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical relationship between amplitude and brightness in light waves
  • Explore the concept of photon energy and its dependence on frequency
  • Study the principles of light polarization and the role of polarizers
  • Investigate the effects of wavelength on light intensity and perception
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the properties of light waves and their applications in technology.

Qais M.
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Does light intensity and brightness depend on amplitude?
 
Science news on Phys.org
Yes, brightness of light and its intensity depend on light wave amplitude, or the height of light waves. Brightness is also somewhat influenced by wavelength.
 
Ryan McCarty said:
Yes, brightness of light and its intensity depend on light wave amplitude, or the height of light waves. Brightness is also somewhat influenced by wavelength.

Thanks! Is there any detailed explanation on that? Thanks in advance!
 
Light waves (in general)

1-How does the amplitude affects the brightness and intensity of light waves?

2-And why energy affects the frequency of light waves rather than their amplitude; why doesn't the amplitude increase or decrease when extra or less energy is transferred by the wave instead of the frequency?

Thanks in advance!
 
1 - Brightness or Intensity are proportional to the square of Amplitude.
2 - You're confusing the energy of individual photons (which is proportional to the frequency) with the total energy of the wave (which is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the wave)
 
How do polarizers polarize light? Are the molecules arranged in a shape the the slits between them are parallel or perpendicular to the electric field of light? If they're perpendicularly arranged, how would light be polarized?
ImageUploadedByPhysics Forums1393673276.910449.jpg
 

Similar threads

High School Can Light Speed Be Increased by Straightening Its Wave Path?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
897
Graduate Can heavy objects be used to modulate light waves with small amplitude?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
High School Does light propagate as a wave of little bullets?
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
4K
High School Why are light waves depicted as lines, circles, and sinusoids?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
High School I don't understand exactly how the propagation of light works
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
Undergrad How does our brain differentiate between a source of light and a painted circle?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Is all EM radiation light?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
Undergrad Do two light waves with difference frequencies connect when they meet?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Is Infrared Light Invisible to Humans Due to Eye Limitations?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Graduate Destructive interference in Unpolarised light
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K