- Understand that electromagnetic radiation has a particulate nature.
- Understand that a photon is a quantum of electromagnetic energy.
- Recall and use E = hf.
- Use the electronvolt (eV) as a unit of energy.
- Understand that a photon has momentum and that the momentum is given by p = E/c.
- Students will be able to define and explain key terms such as photon, quantum, electromagnetic radiation, particulate nature, Planck’s constant, frequency, energy, electronvolt, and photon momentum in English.
- Students will be able to discuss the evidence for the particulate nature of light and the concept of energy quantization.
- Students will be able to apply the formulas E = hf and p = E/c to solve problems involving photons.
- Students will be able to convert energy values between Joules and electronvolts.
- Students will be able to explain the relationship between a photon’s energy and its momentum.
Let’s familiarize ourselves with the key terms for this topic. Төмендегі кестеде осы тақырып бойынша негізгі терминдер берілген.
English Term | Russian Translation (Перевод на русский) | Kazakh Translation (Қазақша аудармасы) |
---|---|---|
Photon | Фотон | Фотон |
Quantum (plural: Quanta) | Квант (мн.ч.: Кванты) | Квант (көпше түрі: Кванттар) |
Electromagnetic Radiation | Электромагнитное излучение | Электромагниттік сәулелену |
Particulate Nature | Корпускулярная природа (Частичная природа) | Бөлшектік табиғат |
Planck’s Constant (h) | Постоянная Планка (h) | Планк тұрақтысы (h) |
Frequency (f or ν) | Частота (f или ν) | Жиілік (f немесе ν) |
Wavelength (λ) | Длина волны (λ) | Толқын ұзындығы (λ) |
Energy (E) | Энергия (E) | Энергия (E) |
Electronvolt (eV) | Электронвольт (эВ) | Электронвольт (эВ) |
Momentum (p) | Импульс (p) | Импульс (p) |
Speed of Light (c) | Скорость света (c) | Жарық жылдамдығы (c) |
Photoelectric Effect | Фотоэлектрический эффект | Фотоэлектрлік эффект |
To help you memorize these terms, you can use flashcards. Check out this set on Quizlet (or create your own!):
Search for Photons & Quantum Energy Flashcards on Quizlet
Alternatively, create physical flashcards for active recall.
Understand the definitions of key concepts. Төменде негізгі ұғымдардың анықтамалары берілген.
- Photon: A
- Quantum (plural: Quanta): The minimum amount of any physical entity (physical property) involved in an interaction. For example, a photon is a quantum of the electromagnetic field. Energy is said to be quantized if it can only exist in discrete amounts.
- Particulate Nature of Light: The concept that light (and other electromagnetic radiation) can exhibit properties of particles (photons), in addition to its wave-like properties. This is a key aspect of wave-particle duality.
- Planck’s Constant (h): A fundamental physical constant relating the energy of a photon to its frequency. h ≈ 6.63 x 10-34 Joule-seconds (J s).
- Electronvolt (eV): A unit of energy commonly used in atomic and particle physics. One electronvolt is the amount of kinetic energy gained (or lost) by a single electron when it is accelerated through an electric potential difference of one volt. 1 eV ≈ 1.602 x 10-19 Joules (J).
- Photon Momentum (p): Although photons have no rest mass, they possess momentum. The momentum of a photon is related to its energy (E) and the speed of light (c) by p = E/c, or to its wavelength (λ) by p = h/λ.
Classical physics described light purely as an
. However, certain phenomena, like the photoelectric effect and black-body radiation, could not be fully explained by this wave model. This led to the development of quantum theory, which introduced the idea that light also has a nature.1. The Particulate Nature of Electromagnetic Radiation
Max Planck, in 1900, first proposed that energy is not continuous but is emitted or absorbed in discrete packets called quanta (singular: quantum). Albert Einstein extended this idea in 1905 to explain the photoelectric effect, suggesting that electromagnetic radiation itself consists of these energy quanta. These quanta of electromagnetic energy are now called photons.
So, electromagnetic radiation (like light, X-rays, radio waves) can be thought of as a stream of particles (photons), each carrying a specific amount of energy. This doesn’t mean the wave model is wrong; rather, light exhibits wave-particle duality – it behaves as a wave in some situations (e.g., diffraction, interference) and as a particle in others (e.g., photoelectric effect, Compton scattering).
2. Photon: A Quantum of Electromagnetic Energy
A photon is the fundamental particle, or quantum, of the electromagnetic field. It mediates electromagnetic interactions.
- Photons have zero rest mass.
- They always travel at the speed of light, c (approximately 3.00 x 108 m/s in a vacuum).
- Each photon carries a discrete amount of energy.
3. Energy of a Photon (E = hf)
The energy (E) of a single photon is directly proportional to the
(f) of the electromagnetic radiation. This relationship is given by Planck’s equation:E = h f
Where:
- E is the energy of the photon, measured in Joules (J).
- h is Planck’s constant, a fundamental constant of nature. Its value is approximately 6.63 x 10-34 J s (Joule-seconds).
- f is the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation, measured in Hertz (Hz) or s-1.
Since the speed of light (c), frequency (f), and
f = c/λ
So, E = h (c/λ) = hc/λ
4. The Electronvolt (eV)
In atomic and particle physics, energies are often very small when expressed in Joules. A more convenient unit of energy is the electronvolt (eV).
One electronvolt is defined as the amount of kinetic energy gained (or lost) by a single electron when it moves through an electric potential difference of one volt.
Since the charge of an electron (e) is 1.602 x 10-19 C, and work done W = qV (which equals change in kinetic energy):
1 eV = (1.602 x 10-19 C) × (1 V) = 1.602 x 10-19 J
To convert energy from Joules to eV: Energy in eV = (Energy in J) / (1.602 x 10-19)
To convert energy from eV to Joules: Energy in J = (Energy in eV) × (1.602 x 10-19)
5. Momentum of a Photon (p = E/c)
Although photons have no rest mass, they carry
. This was a crucial insight from Einstein’s work. The momentum (p) of a photon is related to its energy (E) and the speed of light (c):p = E / c
Since E = hf, we can also write:
p = hf / c
And since f/c = 1/λ (from c = fλ), the momentum can also be expressed in terms of wavelength:
p = h / λ
This relationship (p = h/λ) is also known as the de Broglie relation, though de Broglie originally proposed it for matter particles exhibiting wave-like properties. For photons, it arises directly from their energy-momentum relation.
The momentum of a photon is a vector quantity, and its direction is the direction of propagation of the light.
Check Your Understanding / Өзіңді тексер:
- Easy: What is a photon, and what fundamental constant relates its energy to its frequency?
[/su_spoiler] - Medium: Calculate the energy of a photon of blue light with a frequency of 6.5 x 1014 Hz, both in Joules and in electronvolts. (h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s; 1 eV = 1.60 x 10-19 J)
[/su_spoiler] - Medium: A photon has an energy of 3.0 eV. Calculate its wavelength and its momentum. (c = 3.00 x 108 m/s)
[/su_spoiler] - Hard (Critical Thinking): If light intensity is increased (meaning more photons per second for a given frequency), how does this affect the energy of individual photons and the total momentum delivered by the light beam per second? Explain.
[/su_spoiler]
Activity 1: Fill in the Blanks
- A photon is a quantum of _________ energy.
- The energy of a photon is given by the equation E = _________, where h is _________ and f is _________.
- One electronvolt (eV) is equal to approximately _________ Joules.
- The momentum of a photon is given by p = E/c or p = h/_________.
- The concept that light can behave as both a wave and a particle is called _________ duality.
Activity 2: True or False?
- All photons have the same energy.
- A photon of blue light has more energy than a photon of red light.
- Photons have a small, non-zero rest mass.
- Increasing the intensity of light increases the energy of each photon.
- The electronvolt is a unit of electric charge.
Watch this video for a visual explanation of photons and their energy:
This video explains the concept of the photon and the relationship E = hf.
Further viewing:
Problem 1: Calculate the energy, in joules, of a photon of red light that has a wavelength of 650 nm. (h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s, c = 3.00 x 108 m/s)
[Image of Красный лазерный луч]
E = hc/λ
E = (6.63 x 10-34 J s * 3.00 x 108 m/s) / (650 x 10-9 m)
E ≈ 3.06 x 10-19 J
Wavelength, λ = 650 nm = 650 x 10-9 m
Planck’s constant, h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s
Speed of light, c = 3.00 x 108 m/s
Formula:
The energy of a photon is given by E = hc/λ.
Calculation:
E = (6.63 x 10-34 J s * 3.00 x 108 m/s) / (650 x 10-9 m)
E = (19.89 x 10-26 J m) / (6.50 x 10-7 m)
E = (19.89 / 6.50) x 10(-26 — (-7)) J
E ≈ 3.06 x 10-19 J
The energy of the photon is approximately 3.06 x 10-19 J.
Problem 2: A photon has an energy of 2.5 eV.
a) Convert this energy to Joules.
b) Calculate the frequency of this photon.
c) Calculate the momentum of this photon.
(1 eV = 1.60 x 10-19 J, h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s, c = 3.00 x 108 m/s)
[Image of Светодиод, излучающий свет]
a) E (J) = 2.5 eV * 1.60 x 10-19 J/eV = 4.0 x 10-19 J
b) E = hf => f = E/h = (4.0 x 10-19 J) / (6.63 x 10-34 J s) ≈ 6.03 x 1014 Hz
c) p = E/c = (4.0 x 10-19 J) / (3.00 x 108 m/s) ≈ 1.33 x 10-27 kg m/s
Energy of photon, E = 2.5 eV
1 eV = 1.60 x 10-19 J
h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s
c = 3.00 x 108 m/s
a) Convert energy to Joules:
E (J) = Energy in eV * (Joules per eV)
E (J) = 2.5 eV * (1.60 x 10-19 J/eV)
E (J) = 4.0 x 10-19 J
b) Calculate the frequency (f):
From E = hf, we have f = E/h.
f = (4.0 x 10-19 J) / (6.63 x 10-34 J s)
f ≈ 0.6033 x 1015 Hz
f ≈ 6.03 x 1014 Hz
c) Calculate the momentum (p):
The momentum of a photon is p = E/c.
p = (4.0 x 10-19 J) / (3.00 x 108 m/s)
p ≈ 1.333… x 10-27 kg m/s
p ≈ 1.33 x 10-27 kg m/s
Explore the particulate nature of light using the PhET «Photoelectric Effect» simulation. This simulation demonstrates how photons interact with electrons in a metal.
Simulation Link: Photoelectric Effect Simulation
Or embed if possible (check WordPress compatibility):
Tasks:
- Select a target metal (e.g., Sodium). Vary the intensity of the light. Does changing the intensity affect whether electrons are ejected? Does it affect the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electrons? (Observe the graph of Current vs. Battery Voltage or Electron Energy vs. Light Frequency).
- Keep the intensity constant and vary the wavelength (or frequency/color) of the light. Is there a minimum frequency (maximum wavelength) below which no electrons are ejected, regardless of intensity? This is the threshold frequency.
- How does the energy of the incident photons (E=hf) relate to the ejection of electrons and their kinetic energy? (Think about the work function of the metal).
- How do these observations support the idea that light energy is quantized into photons, rather than being a continuous wave?
Task: Photon Calculations Challenge with Quizizz or LearningApps.org
In pairs or small groups:
- Scenario 1: A green laser pointer emits light with a wavelength of 532 nm. If the laser has a power output of 5.0 mW, how many photons does it emit per second?
- Scenario 2: An X-ray photon has a momentum of 2.0 x 10-23 kg m/s. What is its energy in electronvolts?
- Work together to solve these problems, showing all steps.
- Create a 2-3 question quiz on Quizizz or a short interactive exercise on LearningApps.org based on your problem-solving steps or similar calculations involving photon energy, wavelength, momentum, and number of photons.
- Swap your quiz/exercise with another group.
Answer the following questions. Show all your working. (h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s; c = 3.00 x 108 m/s; 1 eV = 1.60 x 10-19 J)
- Analysis/Application: A radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 98.5 MHz.
a) Calculate the energy of one photon emitted by the radio station, in Joules.
b) Calculate the wavelength of these radio waves.
c) If the station emits a total power of 50 kW, estimate the number of photons emitted per second.
[/su_spoiler] - Analysis/Synthesis: The work function of a metal is 2.2 eV. Light of wavelength 450 nm is incident on the metal.
a) Calculate the energy of an incident photon in eV.
b) Will electrons be emitted from the metal surface? Explain your answer.
c) If electrons are emitted, what is their maximum kinetic energy in eV?
[/su_spoiler] - Synthesis/Application: A gamma-ray photon has a momentum of 5.0 x 10-22 kg m/s.
a) Calculate the energy of this gamma-ray photon in Joules.
b) Calculate its wavelength.
c) Calculate its frequency.
[/su_spoiler] - Analysis/Evaluation: Compare the energy (in eV) and momentum of a photon of ultraviolet light (λ = 200 nm) with a photon of infrared light (λ = 1000 nm). Discuss the implications of these differences.
[/su_spoiler] - Critical Thinking/Design: Explain how the concept of photons having momentum is consistent with the observation that light can exert pressure (radiation pressure). If a perfectly reflecting mirror is hit by N photons per second, each of momentum p, what is the force exerted on the mirror?
[/su_spoiler]
- Save My Exams (A-Level Physics CIE — Quantum Physics):
- Photons & Photoelectric Effect: Save My Exams — Photons
- PhysicsAndMathsTutor (A-Level CIE — Quantum Physics): PhysicsAndMathsTutor — Quantum Physics
- Khan Academy (Quantum Physics — Photons): Khan Academy — Photons
- HyperPhysics (Photons): HyperPhysics — Photon Concepts
- YouTube — Problem Solving (Photon Energy, Momentum): Search for Photon Energy & Momentum Problem Solving
Take a few moments to reflect on what you’ve learned:
- How did the concept of the photon challenge classical wave theory of light?
- Explain the meaning of E = hf in your own words. Why is Planck’s constant so important?
- Why is the electronvolt a useful unit in quantum physics, even though the SI unit of energy is the Joule?
- How can something with no rest mass (like a photon) have momentum? What does this imply about light?