Photon Speed in a Wave: How Does It Work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of photon movement in relation to wave properties, specifically addressing how photons behave in different frequency waves and the implications of this behavior on their speed and timing when reaching a specific point.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that if photons move at the speed of light in waves of different frequencies, then a photon associated with a lower frequency might reach a certain point on the x-axis faster than one associated with a higher frequency.
  • Another participant clarifies that photons do not move along the path of a sine wave, but rather that the oscillating fields (E-field and B-field) are what exhibit wave-like properties.
  • Further clarification is provided that light travels in straight lines, and the "waving" refers to the properties of the electric and magnetic fields, not the motion of the photons themselves.
  • A later reply expresses appreciation for the clarification, indicating a recognition of the misunderstanding regarding the nature of light's movement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial claim regarding photon movement in waves, as there is a clear disagreement about the nature of how light behaves in relation to wave properties.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights a misunderstanding of the relationship between photon movement and wave properties, with participants addressing the distinction between the motion of photons and the oscillation of electromagnetic fields.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the fundamental concepts of light behavior, wave-particle duality, and the nature of electromagnetic waves may find this discussion relevant.

The_Original5
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I was in math class today as we were learning about sine waves and frequency, and i kinda related it to light. Then I started thinking about the speed of the photon in the wave, and if the photon moves in the wave at the speed of light at different frequency's then would one particle reach a certain point on the x-axis (lets say 5) first? Another way to put it, since the particle follows a path on a sine wave, if the frequency is increased then the particle should need to cover more distance on the wave then a particle in a lower frequency. So what i kind of concluded was that if the light particle moved at the same speed in different frequency's, then the particle with a lower frequency would reach (5,0) on a graph at a faster time then the particle with a higher frequency. Meaning if you had radio waves as a particle with low frequency and a UV wave as particle with high frequency then the waves would reach a certain point at different point in time. Then i kinda thought that was pretty crazy, light reaching points at different time, its light it should reach it at the same time, but it seems even more crazy if it reached it at the same time because on particle would go faster than the other, and that wouldn't make sense either. So I ask you forum How does a particle of light move in a wave.
 
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Er.. photons do NOT move along a path of the sine wave!

The vertical axis can be either the E-field or the B-field of light. They are orthorgonal to each other and to the direction of motion of light. So what is oscillating like a "sine" wave are these E and B fields.

Zz.
 
So light doesn't move in a waves?
 
The_Original5 said:
So light doesn't move in a waves?

Nope! Light moves in "straight lines" per your optics classes. What is "waving" is a property that it carries, such as the E and B field.

Zz.
 
very interesting thank you, and here i thought i was all cool thinking i found something really cool. haha thank you for responding tho.
 

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