What Is the Wavelength of White Light?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of white light and its relationship to the visible spectrum, exploring whether white light can be defined by a specific wavelength or if it is a combination of multiple wavelengths. The scope includes conceptual clarification and technical explanation related to light and its properties.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that white light is not a single wavelength but rather consists of all visible wavelengths.
  • There is a proposal that white light can be viewed as a group of photons of all visible wavelengths traveling together.
  • One participant suggests that thinking of light as an electromagnetic wave governed by Maxwell's equations may be more beneficial than the photon model, especially outside of quantum mechanics.
  • A participant references the creation of a rainbow and the effect of passing white light through a prism as a means to understand the composition of white light.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that white light consists of multiple wavelengths, but there is no consensus on the best model to describe it, with differing views on the utility of the photon concept versus classical wave theory.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of light and the definitions of terms like "white light" and "visible spectrum" remain unaddressed, and the discussion does not resolve the complexities of these concepts.

ilikescience94
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I know the visible spectrum,(400nm(violet)-750nm(red)) but I can't seem to find the wavelength of white light, can anyone help me out with this?
 
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"White light" is NOT a single wavelength- it consists of light of all (visible) wavelengths.
 
So is it a group of photons of all visible wavelengths traveling together in tandem?
 
ilikescience94 said:
So is it a group of photons of all visible wavelengths traveling together in tandem?

Pretty much, yes.
 
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ilikescience94 said:
So is it a group of photons of all visible wavelengths traveling together in tandem?

That's a reasonable model.

However you can save yourself some grief by thinking of light classically, as an electromagnetic wave governed by Maxwell's equations instead of particles called "photons", whenever possible. You don't really need the photon concept until you're doing quantum mechanics - until then it's as likely to confuse as to clarify.
 
ilikescience94 said:
I know the visible spectrum,(400nm(violet)-750nm(red)) but I can't seem to find the wavelength of white light, can anyone help me out with this?

Ilikescience94, Welcome here to Physics Forums!

Since you already know the wavelengths of some of the colors within the visible spectrum you are close to answering your own question.

How is a rainbow created? Have you ever seen the experiment where white light is passed through a prism? May I suggest you have a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visible_spectrum

Cheers, Bobbywhy
 

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