Quantizing Photons: Understanding the Nature of Light and Energy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the need to quantize photons and the historical context of this concept in physics. Participants explore the reasons behind the quantization of light, particularly in relation to the photoelectric effect and the contributions of Einstein and Planck.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the necessity of quantizing photons and whether scientists can isolate them.
  • Another participant argues that the need to quantize photons arises from historical developments in physics, emphasizing that scientific understanding is based on observations of nature rather than arbitrary decisions.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the terminology and seeks clarification on why Einstein proposed that photons come in quantized packets.
  • It is noted that Einstein's quantization of photons was influenced by Planck's work on blackbody radiation, which helped explain the photoelectric effect, a phenomenon that could not be addressed by classical theories like Maxwell's equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity of quantizing photons, with some expressing confusion and others providing historical context. Multiple viewpoints regarding the reasons for quantization remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the historical context of scientific developments, indicating that understanding the quantization of photons is tied to earlier theories and observations, but do not resolve the underlying questions about necessity and understanding.

Chaste
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May I know why is there a need to quantize photon? can't scientist single them out?
 
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Chaste said:
May I know why is there a need to quantize photon? can't scientist single them out?

This is a very strange question.

You seem to forget history. We don't have the "need" to do anything. We only had to do something based on what Mother Nature tells us. Einstein just simply didn't wake up one day and said "I think, today, I'll just quantize photons for the hell of it".

I could easily ask you why do we need to describe light as a wave? Why do we need to quantize the electronic charge? Why do we need to have mass on fundamental particles, etc.. etc...

Zz.
 
Pardon me please, I'm just recently exposed to this module and have absolutely no background knowledge of physics at all. I'm really confused about these new terms(or scientific jargons).

So Einstein didn't need, then preferably I can rephrase my question to : Why did he say photon come in packets or quantized them?
 
Chaste said:
Pardon me please, I'm just recently exposed to this module and have absolutely no background knowledge of physics at all. I'm really confused about these new terms(or scientific jargons).

So Einstein didn't need, then preferably I can rephrase my question to : Why did he say photon come in packets or quantized them?

Because by doing that, which was inspired by Planck's Blackbody explanation, he could explain the photoelectric effect that could not be explained at that time via Maxwell Equations.

Zz.
 
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/quantumzone/photoelectric2.html
 
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