Let nr and nb be respectively the number of photons emitted by a red bulb and blue bulb of equal power in a given time. Then:

Correct answer: C. nr> nb

  • A. nr = nb
  • B. nr < nb
  • C. nr> nb
  • D. The information is insufficient to get a relation between nr and nb

Explanation

Option C is correct.The number of photons emitted by the red bulb is greater than the number of photons emitted by the blue bulb. Here is a mathematical explanation: Let the wavelength of the red light be λr and the wavelength of the blue light be λb . The number of photons emitted by the red bulb is given by the following equation: n r = E/hν = E/h(c/λr) = Eλr/hc The number of photons emitted by the blue bulb is given by the following equation: n b = E/hν = E/h(c/λb) = Eλb/hc Since the power of the red bulb is equal to the power of the blue bulb, we have: n r = n b Substituting the equations for n r and n b , we get: Eλr/hc = Eλb/hc This means that: λr/λb = 1 This means that the wavelength of the red light is equal to the wavelength of the blue light. However, the frequency of the red light is greater than the frequency of the blue light. This is because the speed of light is the same for all wavelengths. Since the frequency of a photon is inversely proportional to its wavelength, the number of photons emitted by the red bulb is greater than the number of photons emitted by the blue bulb.

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Classical physics cannot explain blackbody radiation and related observations, leading to Planck’s quantum theory, in which energy is emitted or absorbed in discrete packets. Photons provide the particle model of light, with energy and momentum linked to frequency and wavelength, including the photoelectric effect and its threshold frequency.

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