Does a photon that has been absorbed still exist?

  • Thread starter AlexanderRios
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Photon
In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of absorbed and emitted bosons and whether it is the same as destroyed and created. It also talks about the behavior of photons in relation to energy levels and whether they still exist or have been destroyed. It is revealed that absorption and emission is equivalent to annihilation and creation of particles from energy. The conversation also touches on the stability of photons and why they do not decay into other particles.
  • #1
AlexanderRios
7
0
I am trying to understand what is meant by the phrase 'absorbed and emitted bosons'. Is it the same as destroyed and created? Suppose we have an electron in an atom at energy-level1. The electron 'absorbs' a photon (its kinetic energy) and is put into energy-level3. Does the photon still exist or has it been destroyed? Then the electron emits a photon of a different color and drops to energy level2 (it has lost some of the kinetic energy it had). Can we say that photon was the same as the original photon? Then the electron emits a photon of a yet again different color and drops back to energy level1. Have these photons been created and destroyed? Is bosonic absorption and emission the same as destruction of bosonic particles and creation of the bosonic particles, to anf from kinetic energy? And finally why do we say that photons are stable particles (do not decay into other particles)? Is it because they decay to kinetic energy?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Yes, absorption and emission is in fact annihilation and creation of particles out of energy.
And when we say a particle is stable, we mean it won't be spontaneously decayed to other particles.
 
  • #3
Thanks Shyan.
 

1. What happens to a photon after it is absorbed?

After a photon is absorbed by an atom, it can either be re-emitted as a new photon or the energy can be transferred to an electron, causing it to jump to a higher energy level. This process is known as photoelectric effect.

2. Does a photon cease to exist after being absorbed?

No, a photon does not cease to exist after being absorbed. It is simply converted into another form of energy or transferred to another particle.

3. Can a photon be absorbed by any type of matter?

Yes, photons can be absorbed by any type of matter, including solids, liquids, and gases. The amount of absorption depends on the material's composition and energy level.

4. What happens to the wavelength of a photon after it is absorbed?

The wavelength of a photon does not change after it is absorbed. However, the energy of the photon can be converted into other forms, such as heat or electricity.

5. Is there a limit to the number of times a photon can be absorbed?

There is no limit to the number of times a photon can be absorbed. However, each time it is absorbed, it may be converted into a different form of energy or transferred to another particle.

Similar threads

  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
946
Replies
54
Views
3K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
6
Views
696
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
38
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
899
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
4
Views
3K
Back
Top