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We know that E = hv

  • E = photon energy
  • h = Planck constant
  • v = frequency

We also know that photon energy E can only come in discrete values (quanta).

Does the combination of these two assumptions then determine that frequency, v can only come in discrete values as well?

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Note on research: There are Phys.SE questions that are similar to mine, but none seem satisfactory, in terms of explaining how the equation can only take on discrete values.

Community
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Cole Bittel
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1 Answers1

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You say:

We also know that photon energy E can only come in discrete values (quanta).

but this is not true. It is generally true that the energy of a bound system takes discrete values, but the energy of a free system has a continuous range and can take any value. Since for such a system the energy is not discrete it follows that the frequency is not discrete either.

John Rennie
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