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This is not something we can explain with classical physics - its a new phenomenon that happens at the subatomic level. It affects everything that happens on a very small scale; for example, an electron, too, has wave and particle characteristics. Briefly, it seems that the wave is not a mechanical wave in the traditional sense, but a probability distribution that tells you what is the probability of finding a particle in a specific region of space. Do some reading - for example on Wikipedia - on "wave-particle duality", for more details.

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What is a photon-?

A particle of light. Or, in general, of an electromagnetic wave.


How is EMR classified as both a wave and a particle?

EMR (electromagnetic radiation) is classified as both a wave and a particle because of its dual nature as described by quantum mechanics. In some experiments, EMR behaves like a wave with characteristics such as interference and diffraction, while in others, it behaves like a particle called a photon with characteristics like discrete energy levels. This behavior is known as wave-particle duality.


What term is used to describe the fact that electromagnetic radiation can be thought of as either a continuous wave or as a stream of individual packets of energy?

The term used to describe this duality of electromagnetic radiation is "wave-particle duality." It is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, where light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation exhibit characteristics of both waves and particles.


What does the term photon refer to?

A photon is a fundamental particle of light that carries electromagnetic energy and behaves as both a particle and a wave. It has no mass and travels at the speed of light. Photons are the basic unit of all electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, and X-rays.


How does the dual nature of light as both a wave and a particle impact our understanding of the fundamental properties of electromagnetic radiation?

The dual nature of light as both a wave and a particle challenges traditional ideas about the nature of electromagnetic radiation. This duality suggests that light can exhibit characteristics of both waves and particles, leading to a more complex understanding of its fundamental properties.

Related Questions

What is a photon-?

A particle of light. Or, in general, of an electromagnetic wave.


How is EMR classified as both a wave and a particle?

EMR (electromagnetic radiation) is classified as both a wave and a particle because of its dual nature as described by quantum mechanics. In some experiments, EMR behaves like a wave with characteristics such as interference and diffraction, while in others, it behaves like a particle called a photon with characteristics like discrete energy levels. This behavior is known as wave-particle duality.


What term is used to describe the fact that electromagnetic radiation can be thought of as either a continuous wave or as a stream of individual packets of energy?

The term used to describe this duality of electromagnetic radiation is "wave-particle duality." It is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, where light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation exhibit characteristics of both waves and particles.


What does the term photon refer to?

A photon is a fundamental particle of light that carries electromagnetic energy and behaves as both a particle and a wave. It has no mass and travels at the speed of light. Photons are the basic unit of all electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, and X-rays.


How does the dual nature of light as both a wave and a particle impact our understanding of the fundamental properties of electromagnetic radiation?

The dual nature of light as both a wave and a particle challenges traditional ideas about the nature of electromagnetic radiation. This duality suggests that light can exhibit characteristics of both waves and particles, leading to a more complex understanding of its fundamental properties.


Discrete bundle of electromagnetic energy?

A photon is a discrete bundle of electromagnetic energy, carrying a specific amount of energy and momentum. Photons do not have mass and travel at the speed of light in a vacuum. They exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.


What is the name for a particle of em radiation?

Photon - you can think of it as a bundle of waves


How do electromagnetic waves behave?

Electromagnetic waves are energy propagated through space in the form of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. They exhibit properties of both a wave and a particle. They travel at the speed of light, can travel through a vacuum, and can be reflected, refracted, diffracted, absorbed, and polarized.


Are photons real, and if so, what are their properties and characteristics?

Yes, photons are real. They are fundamental particles of light that have no mass, travel at the speed of light, and carry electromagnetic energy. Photons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, such as interference and the photoelectric effect.


How does electromagnetic radiation behave?

Electromagnetic radiation can behave either as a wave or a particle. A wave particle is duality. Electromagnetic energy results from acceleration of a charge EM radiation can travel through a medium or vacuum.


What is photon characteristics?

Under the photon theory of light, a photon is a discrete bundle (or quantum) of electromagnetic (or light) energy. Photons are always in motion and, in a vacuum, have a constant speed of light to all observers, at the vacuum speed of light (more commonly just called the speed of light) of c = 2.998 x 108 m/s.


What behavior can be observed for both electrons and electromagnetic radiation?

Both electrons and electromagnetic radiation exhibit wave-particle duality, meaning they can display both particle-like and wave-like behaviors depending on the conditions. They also can interact with each other through phenomena like scattering and diffraction. Additionally, they both obey certain fundamental physical laws, such as conservation of momentum and energy.