A question about discreteness of light

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In summary, the conversation discusses the discreteness of light and the concept of photons, which are packets of energy that make up light. It is noted that photons are not defined by a specific spatial location and are instead defined by their energy. The question is raised whether this implies the continuity of light, to which it is mentioned that when studying the particle nature of light, it is possible to count the number of photons and therefore they may have a spatial extent in this case.
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Deepak K Kapur
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A stream of light is said to be discrete and not continuous because it consists of packets of energy called photons.

Is there any space between the constituent photons of light? If not, isn't this also a continuity in its own sense?
 
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Deepak K Kapur said:
Is there any space between the constituent photons of light?

This is not a meaningful question, because photons are not defined as having any particular spatial location or extent. They are not a spatial subdivision of a "chunk" of light, but instead, a subdivision in terms of energy.
 
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jtbell said:
This is not a meaningful question, because photons are not defined as having any particular spatial location or extent. They are not a spatial subdivision of a "chunk" of light, but instead, a subdivision in terms of energy.
Thanks for the answer.

1. If 'particular spatial location' does not even apply to photons, doesn't this also indirectly imply the continuity of light.

2. When the particle nature of light is studied (photons ejecting/exciting electrons etc.), we can even count the number of photons. Can't we say that photons have 'spacial extent' in this case.
 

FAQ: A question about discreteness of light

What is discreteness of light?

The discreteness of light refers to the idea that light is composed of tiny particles called photons, rather than being a continuous wave as was previously believed.

How was the discreteness of light discovered?

The discreteness of light was first discovered through experiments conducted by Max Planck in the late 19th century. He noticed that the energy of light emitted by heated objects was not continuous, but instead came in discrete packets or "quanta". This led to the development of the quantum theory.

What are the implications of the discreteness of light?

The discreteness of light has major implications in the field of physics, particularly in quantum mechanics. It also helps to explain various phenomena such as the photoelectric effect and the emission of light from atoms.

Is light the only form of energy that exhibits discreteness?

No, other forms of energy such as matter also exhibit discreteness, as shown by the famous equation E=mc². This means that even matter can be thought of as a form of energy in discrete packets.

How does the discreteness of light impact our daily lives?

The discreteness of light has numerous practical applications, such as in the development of technologies like lasers and LEDs. It also plays a crucial role in fields such as telecommunications and solar energy. Without understanding the discreteness of light, many modern technologies would not be possible.

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