2006-08-18 11:48:38 · 3 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
a phonon is a quantized mode of vibration occurring in a rigid crystal lattice, such as the atomic lattice of a solid. a photon is a particle or "packet" of light.
2006-08-18 11:53:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A phonon is a quantized lattice vibration whereas a photon is a quanta of electromagnetic energy. Phonons may be longitudinal acoustic waves or transverse waves and may be thought of as collective motions of atoms and molecules. Phonons can be measured at k=0 by the absorbion and and scattering of photons. Inelastic neutron scattering is used to measure phonons with reciprocal lattice vector k>0.
2006-08-18 19:10:24 · answer #2 · answered by d/dx+d/dy+d/dz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A phonon is acoustic. A photon is electromagnetic.
Each is the designated name for the smallest "particle," called a quantum, of its medium.
2006-08-18 18:58:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋