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k9b4
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Is it one wavelength of EM wave? I have googled for this and I can't find an explanation for what a photon is in terms of EM waves.
It is most definitely not one wavelength of an EM wave.k9b4 said:Is it one wavelength of EM wave? I have googled for this and I can't find an explanation for what a photon is in terms of EM waves.
A photon is a fundamental particle of light that carries energy and momentum. It is the smallest unit of electromagnetic (EM) radiation and has properties of both a wave and a particle.
A photon is the building block of EM waves. EM waves are created when photons interact with each other and travel through space as a wave. This wave-like behavior of photons is described by their frequency and wavelength.
The energy of a photon is directly proportional to the frequency of the EM wave it represents. This means that higher frequency EM waves, such as gamma rays, have photons with higher energy, while lower frequency EM waves, such as radio waves, have photons with lower energy.
Yes, photons can be detected using various instruments such as cameras, photomultiplier tubes, and photodiodes. These devices are designed to convert the energy of photons into an electrical signal that can be measured.
The wave-particle duality of photons explains the properties of light, such as its ability to travel through a vacuum, its speed, and its ability to be diffracted and interfere with itself. The particle-like behavior of photons also explains how light can transfer energy and momentum, causing phenomena such as the photoelectric effect.