Photon - Is it really a wave or something else?

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A photon is described as exhibiting both wave and particle characteristics, embodying wave-particle duality. The discussion raises the question of whether a photon can be visualized as a series of sinusoidal wavelets separated by periods of no activity, suggesting a "packet of energy." This concept challenges traditional views of light as a continuous wave. The depiction of photons as discrete bursts rather than continuous waves is explored, emphasizing the complexity of their nature. Understanding photons requires acknowledging this duality and the limitations of conventional wave descriptions.
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Homework Statement


The Energy of a photon = Planck's Constant * frequency
Is a photon a burst of waves for a specified distance or time?

I wish I could draw my concept but a light wave with intermittent sinusoidal "wavelets" followed by no ups and downs
.........photon 1 ......photon 2...
------------------------------\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/-------------------\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/------>

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


: see (1) above
 
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A photon isn't quite a wave, but it also isn't quite a particle. It's difficult to explain... but it's not a light wave exactly.
 
Char. Limit said:
A photon isn't quite a wave, but it also isn't quite a particle. It's difficult to explain... but it's not a light wave exactly.

That answer of the simultaneous wave-particle duality I've seen before.

My question is whether the wave format is correctly depicted below. Are the little sinusoidal wavelets of definite frequency for a definite length in space or time followed by "blank" periods as shown? Is that what is meant by a "packet of energy?"

I wish I could draw my concept but a light wave with intermittent sinusoidal "wavelets" followed by no ups and downs
.........phot on 1 ......photon 2...
-------------------------------\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/-------------------\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/------>
 

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