Understanding Photon Frequency and Amplitude

In summary, the conversation discussed the relationship between wavelength and frequency, and how they both measure the energy of a photon. It also mentioned AM and FM modulators, and the difference between amplitude and frequency modulation. It was clarified that amplitude refers to the energy put into the wave, while frequency modulation involves varying the energy over time. Additionally, the smallest amplitude of a photon was mentioned, as well as how FM waves transmit information.
  • #1
Edi
177
1
Ok, I'm confused.
Wavelength and frequency is basically the same thing, just different measures. Hight energy photon means that it has high frequency/ low wavelength.
There are AM - amplitude modulators and FM - frequency modulators. (radio) Radio waves are photons, just really long ones.
I don't get it: changing amplitude literally means how much energy you put in the wave, but changing frequency - the same. (??)
When a photon is emitted in, for example, annihilation of electron and positron it is very energetic - high frequency photon is emitted (gamma ray). Whats the deal with amplitude? Can someone bring some clarity to this?
 
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  • #2
One photon has the smallest amplitude - it is proportional to V-1/2, where V is the normalizing volume. A radio-wave with AM has different (varying) average number of photons of the same frequency, so it is the wave energy which is modulated.

An FM wave has photons with different frequencies and possibly different amplitudes. An FM wave has also a variable in time energy and this is one of the ways to transmit (to code) information.

Bob.
 
  • #3
"Click", duh.
Thanks, Bob! ;)
 

1. What is a photon?

A photon is a fundamental particle of light that carries energy and has no mass. It is the basic unit of all forms of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, and X-rays.

2. What is photon frequency?

Photon frequency refers to the number of times a photon oscillates per second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz) and is directly related to the color of light. Higher frequencies correspond to shorter wavelengths and higher energy photons, while lower frequencies correspond to longer wavelengths and lower energy photons.

3. How is photon frequency related to the speed of light?

The speed of light is constant at approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second. The frequency of a photon is directly proportional to its energy, which is also proportional to the speed of light. This means that as the frequency increases, the energy and speed of the photon also increase.

4. What is photon amplitude?

Photon amplitude refers to the strength or intensity of a photon's electric and magnetic fields. It is directly related to the brightness of light. Higher amplitude photons have stronger fields and therefore appear brighter, while lower amplitude photons appear dimmer.

5. How does photon frequency affect matter?

Photon frequency determines how matter will interact with light. When a photon with a specific frequency is absorbed by an atom, it can cause an electron to jump to a higher energy level. This is the basis for many scientific techniques such as spectroscopy, which uses the absorption and emission of photons to study the properties of matter.

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