Section 7.1: Photon Model
The photon model of light explains electromagnetic radiation as consisting of discrete packets of energy called photons. Each photon has energy proportional to its frequency: \[ E = h \nu \] where \( h \) is Planck's constant and \( \nu \) is the frequency of light.
- Photons carry energy but no charge.
- Light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties.
- The photon concept explains phenomena like blackbody radiation and the photoelectric effect.
Example: Photon Energy Calculation
Calculate the energy of a photon with frequency \(6.0 \times 10^{14} \, \text{Hz}\).
\( E = h \nu = 6.626 \times 10^{-34} \times 6.0 \times 10^{14} \approx 3.98 \times 10^{-19} \, \text{J} \)
Practice Problems
- Calculate the energy of a photon with wavelength 500 nm.
- Determine the frequency of a photon with energy \(4.0 \times 10^{-19} \, \text{J}\).
- Explain why light must be considered as both a wave and a particle.
- Calculate the number of photons emitted per second by a 2 W light source of wavelength 600 nm.
- Discuss the significance of Planck's constant in the photon model of light.