What IS happening with photon frequency?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of photons and what oscillates within them. It is established that photons are quantized excitations of the electromagnetic field, not particles with internal structure. The electromagnetic field oscillates due to the acceleration of charged particles, and the photon energy remains constant, defined by the equation E = h*f. The conversation also highlights the distinction between coherent states and Fock states in quantum mechanics, emphasizing that classical electromagnetic waves do not have a definite number of photons.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum field theory concepts
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic fields and their properties
  • Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics, including Fock and coherent states
  • Proficiency in calculus and statistical distributions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study "Quantum Field Theory" to grasp the quantization of electromagnetic fields
  • Learn about Fock states and coherent states in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the mathematical foundations of electromagnetic theory
  • Read "The Conceptual Development of Quantum Mechanics" by M. Jammer for historical context
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, quantum mechanics enthusiasts, and researchers interested in the fundamental properties of light and electromagnetic fields.

  • #31
Lie Algebra hmm.. nice.
Your explanations are sound I just have just a simple doubt that in earlier posts you saidbthe mass in the matter was due to quarks .But what about the interactions that take place between them as if we would literally add their masses for a simple nucleus it would come out to be larger than the observed.I think that mass due to quarks is a bit ambigous statement.
(Please clarify my doubts)
 
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  • #32
I believe that the interactions represent Strong Nuclear Force binding energy, and I'm not clear that it "adds" to the mass.
 
  • #33
Alanine said:
Lie Algebra hmm.. nice.
Your explanations are sound I just have just a simple doubt that in earlier posts you said the mass in the matter was due to quarks .But what about the interactions that take place between them as if we would literally add their masses for a simple nucleus it would come out to be larger than the observed.I think that mass due to quarks is a bit ambiguous statement.

I was a bit sloppy. Most of the mass in ordinary matter is due to the strong interaction,
generated dynamically through dynamical symmetry breaking. This results in constituent quark masses. These approximately add up to proton and neutron masses, and from these to the masses of atoms and molecules, and finally of the solids and fluids that make up our everyday world. The deviations are due to the fact that mass and energy are inter-convertible to some extent, and that the binding energy takes away a bit from particles bound together.
 

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