## Light intensity

$c=\lambda v$

McKenna_4A
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:18 am

### Light intensity

When Dr. Lavelle states that light can be at "higher intensity," what does this mean with respect to wave properties?

Diana_Diep2I
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Light intensity

I'm not sure if this is the answer you're looking for but in terms of wave properties, higher intensity means that the amplitudes of the waves are higher. However, wavelength remains the same compared to higher frequency, where the wavelength is decreased. And he also said that if light only had wave properties, having a higher intensity would be enough to remove an electron//However, increasing intensity is useless until you get the right (high) frequency.

ALegala_2I
Posts: 102
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Light intensity

In terms of wave properties, higher intensity means a greater wave amplitude and therefore a greater amount of energy. In the photoelectric experiment, it was found that increasing the intensity of light did not increase the energy of light. So this experiment supported the idea that light did not have wave like properties but particle like properties.

Kayli Choy 2F
Posts: 100
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Light intensity

In contrast, intensity with respect to particle properties is proportional to the number of photons. The higher the intensity, the more protons are present.

Ashley Nguyen 2L
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:18 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: Light intensity

If light is at a higher intensity, the amplitude of the wave is simply higher. The frequency and wavelength remains the same. One way you could achieve a higher intensity light is by increasing the number of photons. However, this change did not impact the photoelectric experiment because one single photon must have equal to or greater than the threshold energy to eject an electron. Increasing the number of photons would not help in overcoming the threshold energy.

BeylemZ-1B
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Light intensity

McKenna_4A wrote:When Dr. Lavelle states that light can be at "higher intensity," what does this mean with respect to wave properties?

Intensity can be found mathematically too! Intensity = (Amplitude)^2 if i am not mistaken.

Michelle Xie 2B
Posts: 99
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:18 am

### Re: Light intensity

The higher intensity in terms of wave properties would just mean a larger amplitude.