Photon - Is it really a wave or something else?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of photons, specifically addressing their wave-particle duality. It is established that a photon is neither purely a wave nor a particle, but rather exhibits characteristics of both. The concept of photons as "packets of energy" is explored, with a focus on the depiction of photons as intermittent sinusoidal wavelets followed by periods of no activity. This representation raises questions about the correct understanding of photon behavior in terms of frequency and spatial duration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Planck's Constant and its role in photon energy calculations.
  • Familiarity with wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics.
  • Basic knowledge of sinusoidal waveforms and their properties.
  • Concept of energy packets in quantum physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics.
  • Study the mathematical representation of photons using wave functions.
  • Explore the concept of quantization of energy in relation to electromagnetic waves.
  • Learn about the experimental evidence supporting the wave-particle duality of light.
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Students of physics, educators in quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the fundamental properties of light and energy.

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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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