The photons are equally energetic. The energy of a photon is determined by it frequency/wavelength. The brightness/intensity is determined by the density of the photons.
e = hv
(h = Planck's constant, v = frequency (it should be lower case nu but v looks a lot like it) )
2006-12-09 09:24:53
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answer #1
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answered by feanor 7
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A dim bulb has photons of the same energy(color) as a bright bulb, it just has less of them.
Light at the red end of the spectrum is less energetic than light at the blue end of the spectrum.
Hope that helps.
2006-12-09 09:25:29
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answer #2
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answered by themountainviewguy 4
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The difference between bright and dim light is the NUMBER of photons, not the energy of each photon. This is assuming the light is of the same wavelength (and thus the same frequency). As the frequency of of a photon of light increases, so does its energy. Infra red (low frequency and long wavelength) is lower energy than, for example, ultraviolet (high frequency, short wave). There is a whole spectrum of light. Search on line to find info on this. The rainbow represents the visible spectrum with the red end being lower energy and the blue end being higher energy. Higher energy is also higher frequency and shorter wavelength. These traits vary together in a predictable way... Energy is proportional to frequency. Wavelength and frequency are inversely related. Dim and bright light, however, just vary in the NUMBER of photons, not the energy per photon. If there are FEWER photons, it is harder for your eyes to see them. The light appears dim....
I have seen this information in a basic biology text, chemistry text, and physics text for intro college students. I am sure you can find this on line.
2006-12-09 09:29:46
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answer #3
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answered by Carol 1
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c = λν
==> λ = c/ν
λ is the wavelength of the photon, and ν its frequency.
Also, E = hv
h is Planck's constant and again.....ν is the frequency.
Combine these equations and you see that:
λ = hc/E
So....as the energy goes UP, the wavelength goes DOWN.....meaning, it decreases.....it gets shorter. And vice versa.
i.e. short wavelength = more energy
It is known that high energy photons ( that which makes up light) are more energetic and dangerous as the wavelength gets shorter. Let's look at the electromagnetic spectrum --- see link below.
This is apparent. You can see UV rays (ultraviolet -- the portion of the sunlight that peopel gat a tan from), x-rays, and gamma rays. It is the exposure to gamma rays that have the potential to disrupt body cells which cause them to mutate and ultimately kill people (cancer).
Now look at the second link below which is the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. You may even prefer thsi one to the other one I gave you, but you can see that red light is composed of light that is long compared to blue light....shorter and more energetic light.
So, in essence, blue light has more energy than red light.
Does this help you?
:)
2006-12-09 09:41:21
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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They are not more energetic; there are simply more of them. Blue light photons are more energetic than green, yellow, or red ones.
2006-12-09 09:58:15
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Filter
2006-12-09 09:54:56
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answer #6
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answered by jamesdperrino 2
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