Question: Calculate Wavelength from Intensity

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the wavelength of microwaves based on their intensity. The original poster seeks to understand how to derive wavelength from the given intensity of 380 units, which corresponds to 5 waves per centimeter, and expresses uncertainty about the concepts involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between intensity and wavelength, with one noting similarities to optics questions involving photon energy. There is mention of a formula for wavelength in terms of energy, but participants express confusion about determining the energy of a photon.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants sharing insights and attempting to clarify concepts. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between wavelength and photon energy, but there remains uncertainty about specific values and definitions, particularly concerning the units of intensity.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the lack of provided equations and the need for clarity on the definition of "units" as referenced in the intensity measurement. There is an emphasis on understanding the underlying physics concepts without a clear resolution yet.

Hiyun
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Homework Statement


Question: Calculate the wavelength in mm of the most intensive microwaves

Question before: State the intensity of the most intensive microwaves detected
Answer: 380 Units. (5 Waves per CM)
[Read from a graph]

Homework Equations



None given.

The Attempt at a Solution



I have never attempted a question to calculate wavelength from intensity. After some quick research on the internet, information about photons etc which I had never come across before showed up. If anyone would like to explain, i'd be very grateful.
 
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Hiyun said:

Homework Statement


Question: Calculate the wavelength in mm of the most intensive microwaves

Question before: State the intensity of the most intensive microwaves detected
Answer: 380 Units. (5 Waves per CM)
[Read from a graph]



Homework Equations



None given.

The Attempt at a Solution



I have never attempted a question to calculate wavelength from intensity. After some quick research on the internet, information about photons etc which I had never come across before showed up. If anyone would like to explain, i'd be very grateful.

This sounds like a microwave equivalent of a common optics question.

There is a formula of calculating the energy associated with a photon of Red light, and a photon of blue light (one is bigger than the other).

Thus if you have a 6W red light and a 6W blue light (6 joules given off each second), then there will be different numbers of photons given off by each light.
If one phonon has 0.5 J of energy, you need 12 per second, while if the other photon has 0.6 J of energy, you need only 10 per second.

Perhaps that example/concept will help.
 
I did more research into this and I found out that Wavelength=HC/E

But I'm still stuck on getting the E (energy of a photon)

So far I've got

WL=1.99x10-25 J-m x E
 
Hiyun said:
I did more research into this and I found out that Wavelength=HC/E

But I'm still stuck on getting the E (energy of a photon)

So far I've got

WL=1.99x10-25 J-m x E

In your original post you said the nswer to the previous question was
Answer: 380 Units. (5 Waves per CM) which you got from a graph.

Using the scale of that graph what is a "unit"?
 

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