Light Grainy? Photons or Stream of Energy?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of seeing individual photons or a stream of energy if one were to zoom in closely on a single beam of light. The concept of wave-particle duality and the uncertainty of light's nature are also brought up.
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snackster17
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Ive read a few things about light and have a curiosity. If i had a single beam of light and somehow were able to zoom in close enough on this beam would i see individual photons? or would i see a stream of energy? Thank You
 
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snackster17 said:
Ive read a few things about light and have a curiosity. If i had a single beam of light and somehow were able to zoom in close enough on this beam would i see individual photons? or would i see a stream of energy? Thank You

yes it's grainy,

in the QED lectures Feynman said that light is like rain

if you get a very very weak source of light, then you can record a single photon of light at a time, for example
 
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thank you for the reply. Does this not all go back to the wave-particle duality though? because i read that light is also a wave frequency? perhaps the term photons and light are a bit unclear?
 

FAQ: Light Grainy? Photons or Stream of Energy?

What is light grainy?

Light grainy is a term used to describe the appearance of light when it is observed through certain instruments, such as a microscope. It appears as a grainy texture due to the individual particles of light, called photons, that make up the light.

Are photons the same as a stream of energy?

Yes, photons are a stream of energy. They are particles of light that carry energy and travel in a straight line at the speed of light. They are the fundamental unit of light and are responsible for all of its properties, including its energy.

How are photons created?

Photons are created through a process called electromagnetic radiation. This occurs when an atom absorbs energy and one of its electrons jumps to a higher energy level. When the electron falls back to its original energy level, it releases a photon of light.

Can light be both a particle and a wave?

Yes, light exhibits properties of both a particle and a wave. This phenomenon is known as wave-particle duality and is a central concept in quantum mechanics. Under certain conditions, light behaves like a wave, and under other conditions, it behaves like a particle.

How does light travel through space?

Light travels through space as a wave, moving in a straight line at the speed of light. This is known as the wave theory of light and is based on the concept that light is an electromagnetic wave. However, when light interacts with matter, it behaves as a particle, which is known as the particle theory of light.

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