Amplitude and Intensity

[Minh-Thy Vo 3D]

If amplitude is the intensity of the light, will increasing the amplitude just increase the number of photons? So increasing amplitude would not have an effect on the energy of the light overall?

[Olivia Smith 2E]

That is correct! Increasing amplitude only increases the amount of photons and not the energy of the photon. And is also supported by the photoelectric effect.

[Edward Tang 1k]

Correct. Increasing amplitude would result in an increased number of photons with the same energy as before the change in amplitude.

[Gigi Elizarraras 2C]

Yep you got it! Like professor was talking about, if you increase the number of runners but no one has enough energy to get over the hurdles you will not get anywhere. If you want a photon/runner to get over the hurdle/release an electron you must increase the frequency not the wavelength:)

[Ansh Patel 2I]

Yes! The number of photons increases with higher amplitude, but the energy per photon remains the same. Therefore, if a light at a certain frequency is unable to reach the threshold energy of a certain metal, a lower frequency light would be required.

[Sam_Marasigan_3D]

I agree with everyone! Amplitude increases = an increase to the number of photons.

[Inderpal Singh 2L]

Yes. When the amplitude increases, so does the number of photons.