During a class discussion, Student X claims, “Ultraviolet photons travel faster than…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation
Problem
During a class discussion, Student X claims, “Ultraviolet photons travel faster than microwave photons because ultraviolet light has higher energy.” Student Y disagrees.
Answer the following questions to evaluate the claim.
(a) Explain whether Student X’s claim is correct for photons traveling in vacuum. In your explanation, cite relevant physical principles that relate photon speed, frequency, wavelength, and energy.
(b) Describe qualitatively how both the frequency and the wavelength of a photon are affected when its energy increases, assuming the photon is in vacuum.
(c) Give two reasons why photons of different energies can travel at different speeds in a transparent medium, even though they travel at the same speed in vacuum. Provide a brief explanation for each reason.