Max Photon Energy: Planck Length Lower Limit?

In summary: I suggest you read our Insights article about the Planck length, if you haven't seen it already:A Hand-Wavy Discussion of the Planck Length
  • #1
mathman
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Planck length is ~ [itex]1.6\times 10^{-35}[/itex] meters. Does this mean that this may be a lower limit on meaningful wavelength and therefore upper limit on energy?
 
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  • #2
Isn't that one of those "call me back when we have an experiment approaching those energies" questions? I would think a lot of physicists would like to know what happens at Planck lengths/masses/energies, but all of our experiments are orders of magnitudes away from that.
 
  • #3
In some frame, every photon has a wavelength less than that.
 
  • #4
Vanadium 50 said:
In some frame, every photon has a wavelength less than that.

Is that conjecture, or have experiments shown that?
 
  • #5
Do you believe in the Doppler effect or not?
 
  • #6
  • #7
Vanadium 50 said:
Do you believe in the Doppler effect or not?
I "believe" that it works within the ranges that have been measured - and a bit more, perhaps. The simple formulae will almost certainly not apply.
 
  • #8
But the Doppler effect is cumulative. Boost by beta=.6 and you double the frequency. Boost by beta=.6 again and you double the frequency again. Repeat as necessary.
 
  • #9
Vanadium 50 said:
But the Doppler effect is cumulative. Boost by beta=.6 and you double the frequency. Boost by beta=.6 again and you double the frequency again. Repeat as necessary.
I imagine that the effect is Monotonic but, in extreme situations, why would Beta necessarily apply in the way you imply? Already, we use two Doppler formulae, with and without SR so why assume that something else doesn't kick in at a singularity. The only reason I posted a reply to you post was your use of "believe" in the context of the conditions that are being discussed.
 
  • #10
"Our mission is to provide a place for people (whether students, professional scientists, or others interested in science) to learn and discuss science as it is currently generally understood and practiced by the professional scientific community."

That's what is generally understood and practiced by the professional scientific community.
 
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1. What is Max Photon Energy and its significance?

Max Photon Energy refers to the maximum energy that a single photon can possess, as determined by the Planck Length Lower Limit. This limit is significant because it sets a fundamental boundary for the energy of particles and waves, and plays a crucial role in understanding quantum mechanics and the behavior of the universe at extremely small scales.

2. How is the Planck Length Lower Limit related to Max Photon Energy?

The Planck Length Lower Limit is a theoretical limit that defines the smallest possible length, beyond which the concept of space and time loses meaning. This length is directly proportional to the maximum energy of a photon, with a higher energy corresponding to a smaller length. Therefore, the Planck Length Lower Limit sets a boundary for the maximum energy that a photon can possess, known as Max Photon Energy.

3. Can the Max Photon Energy be exceeded?

Based on the current understanding of physics, it is not possible for a single photon to possess energy higher than the Max Photon Energy determined by the Planck Length Lower Limit. This limit is considered to be a fundamental property of the universe, and any energy above it would result in a breakdown of our current understanding of physics.

4. How does the Max Photon Energy impact our understanding of the universe?

The Max Photon Energy, determined by the Planck Length Lower Limit, plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of the universe at extremely small scales. It helps explain the behavior of particles and waves in the quantum world, and provides insights into the origins of the universe and the fundamental laws of physics.

5. Is there any experimental evidence for the existence of the Max Photon Energy?

Currently, there is no direct experimental evidence for the existence of the Max Photon Energy as determined by the Planck Length Lower Limit. However, this limit is derived from various theories in physics, such as quantum mechanics and general relativity, which have been extensively tested and supported by experimental evidence. Therefore, the existence of the Max Photon Energy is widely accepted by the scientific community.

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