The discussion centers around the nature of photons, specifically whether they experience acceleration to reach the speed of light, and the implications of rest mass in this context. Participants explore theoretical aspects of light propagation, the properties of massless particles, and the relationship between energy and motion in the realm of physics.
Participants express differing views on whether photons require acceleration to reach the speed of light, with some arguing against the need for acceleration while others propose that an initial energy input is necessary. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives present.
There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions of terms like "luxon" and the implications of acceleration in relation to established physical theories. The discussion reflects a mix of classical and modern physics perspectives.
Mk said:...it doesn't slow down or speed up, unless of course it goes through a medium.
Mk said:Well, what Woz is trying to ask is, how does it start moving in the first place... maybe.
It takes an infintesimal amount of energy to accelerate a luxon, a particle with no rest mass, such as a photon, but not zero. Once it gets accelerated to the exclusively luxonic speed of the speed of light in a vacuum, from that infintesimal amount of energy, it needs no more, it doesn't slow down or speed up, unless of course it goes through a medium.