Max Planck’s constant

The Forces of Nature by Kelland Terry, Ph.D.

I have already introduced the idea that the oscillation frequency of a gamma ray photon is much greater than a small radio wave photon. Oscillation frequency is directly related to the energy of the photon. What we are really saying is that the rate a photon goes through its string cycles is directly related to the photon’s mass and energy.

In 1900, Max Planck compared oscillation frequency and the energy of light, and from this he was able to show that the energy of a photon can be calculated using its frequency: E = hf, which applies to all photons. The letter h in this equation is Planck’s constant and f is the frequency of oscillation. Planck’s constant has a value of 6.626 x 10^-34 joule seconds. Thus, the energy in joules for a radio wave with a frequency of 1 x 10^4 is 6.626 x 10^-30 joules. The energy of a photon of visible light with a frequency of 1 x 10^15 is 6.626 x 10^-19 joules.

Planck came to this conclusion: The total energy of a given source of light is equal to nfh, where n is the number of photons emitted, f is the frequency of the photons, and h is Planck’s constant. This was an important contribution by Planck because it clearly stated that light was composed of discrete particles whose frequency and number dictated the total energy of the light emitted.

We still have Einstein and the special theory of relativity to be concerned with but we’ll get there eventually. Till then be safe and in good health. Kelland—www.vestheory.com

The elusive photon

The Forces of Nature by Kelland Terry, Ph.D.
I will now switch the subject to photons, those particles that make up radio waves, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, gamma rays, etc. Photons are referred to collectively as electromagnetic radiation because all photons create electric fields and magnetic fields. The evidence shows they also create a gravitational force of attraction much like electrons and quarks. Superficially, at least, photons are much like electrons because they are both particles and they both create the same force fields.

I will first explain the differences between the various photons, and then I will delve into their physical properties, and their origins. It is an interesting subject that leads to a greater understanding of elastic strings, elastic string cycles, the properties of light, and a host of observations that are central to Einstein’s special theory of relativity. It will be fun.

We will take just one small dose of this subject with each blog. Kelland—www.vestheory.com