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Home Q & A Board Science-Related Homework Help Physics
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buffzyzz buffzyzz
wrote...
10 years ago
When we draw light waves, we draw oscillating lines.  The photons aren't actually oscillating while they travel, so what is?

In other words-  What physical property of a photon is the same at its crests that's different at its troughs?
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mickeymouse50 Author
wrote...
#1
10 years ago
To describe the differences between types of light like visible and x-ray, scientists often talk about the length of the light's waves or "wavelength." The various types of light that make up the electromagnetic spectrum differ in the length of their waves. However, this doesn't mean the entire length of the wave train. The length of a light's wave or the wavelength is the distance between two nearest peaks (the highest places) or two nearest troughs (the place where it dips the lowest).
wrote...
#2
10 years ago
Well the photons actually are the waves... it's wave/particle duality. Light has a wavelength and also has a momentum like a particle... although it's massless. Confusing stuff I know. Look at some stuff in quantum mechanics, it definitely gives you a greater insight to the whole idea. The wiki on it is very good.
wrote...
#3
10 years ago
Light, as a form of electro-magnetic radiation, consists of alternating electric and magnetic fields traveling through space. In simplified terms, an electric field causes a magnetic field, which causes an electric field, etc. It's the distance between the peaks in field strength that defines the wavelength.
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