What is the energy of a 1/2 Hz photon according to Planck's constant?

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The discussion centers on the relationship between radiation frequency and energy as described by quantum mechanics, specifically the equation E = h * v, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant, and v is frequency. A key point raised is the energy of radiation at a frequency of 1/2 Hz, leading to the conclusion that an oscillator at this frequency cannot emit radiation, as energy is quantized in integer multiples of hν. The distinction between quantized energy and continuous action is emphasized, noting that while energy can vary continuously, the action itself is quantized. The conversation also touches on the creation of photons, primarily through atomic or molecular transitions, and briefly mentions electron-positron pair annihilation as another source of gamma rays. The discussion highlights the complexities of quantum mechanics and the nature of photon emission.
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According to quantum mechanics the energy of radiation is equal to multiple Planck's constant : E = h * v, where "v" is the radiation frequency.

Since there is no limit to frequency, what is the energy of radiation of frequency 1/2 Hz?

S.
 
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h/2 J.101010[/color]
 
neutrino said:
h/2 J.101010[/color]

Where h is expressed in SI units; Planck's constant has dimensions ML^2T^{-1}, so that would be Kg m^2 sec^{-1}.
 
Thank you. I thought before that the energy must be procuct of integer number of 'h'.
 
Energy is emitted or absorbed in integer multiples of h\nu.
 
neutrino said:
Energy is emitted or absorbed in integer multiples of h\nu.

If this is true, than the oscillator working on the frequency ½ Hz can’t emit the radiation. Or am I wrong?
 
n*h*(nu)...it's the 'n' that's restricted to integers, not nu.
 
If you look at those units for h, ML^2T^{-1}, you see that it does not represent a quantum of energy, but of action. This is why energy can increase or decrease by continuous amounts, it is only the action, e dt, that is quantized.
 
If this is true, than the oscillator working on the frequency ½ Hz can’t emit the radiation. Or am I wrong?

if we assume photon can have the largest wavelength of the size of the universe and assume universe is 10^26m

by forumla c=lamb*nu

you can compute smallest nu and energy E=H*nu

: Photon is an energy emitted from internal atom/molecule transitions. There is no other way i know of photon can be created.
 
  • #10
sneez said:
if we assume photon can have the largest wavelength of the size of the universe and assume universe is 10^26m

by forumla c=lamb*nu

you can compute smallest nu and energy E=H*nu

: Photon is an energy emitted from internal atom/molecule transitions. There is no other way i know of photon can be created.


What about electron/positron pair annihilation, this creates gamma rays.
 
  • #11
"What about electron/positron pair annihilation, this creates gamma rays"

Very good. I forgot about this.
 
  • #12
I thought any change of charged particle trajectory should generate photon.
 
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