Photon Radius: Does Photon Have Energy Boundaries?

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    Photon Radius
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the concept of whether a photon has a defined radius that contains its energy, exploring implications of this idea in relation to other particles and waves. Participants examine the nature of photons in terms of their particle-wave duality, energy conservation, and potential measurement of size.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether photons have a radius in which their energy is contained, suggesting that if other particles do not have such a radius, photons likely do not either.
  • There is a proposal that the energy of a photon might be contained within a "packet of space" as it travels between mass points, raising questions about how this relates to its wavelength.
  • One participant suggests that if photons can be confined in a trapping area, this raises questions about their size and how they can be contained if they are considered to have no size.
  • Another participant conjectures that the radius of a photon may be continually changing during its flight and emphasizes the importance of considering time in this context.
  • A later post raises the question of whether it is possible to measure the size of a photon and inquires about any existing results regarding such measurements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether photons have a radius and how this concept relates to energy conservation and measurement. There is no consensus on the existence of a photon radius or its implications.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves assumptions about the nature of photons, the definitions of size and radius, and the conditions under which energy is considered to be contained. These aspects remain unresolved and are subject to interpretation.

ranyart
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Does the Photon have a Radius in which its energy (hv) is contained?
 
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do other waves or particles have a radius in which there energy is conserved? i shouldn't think that photons would if other particles or waves dont.
 
Originally posted by jimmy p
do other waves or particles have a radius in which there energy is conserved? i shouldn't think that photons would if other particles or waves dont.

Ok, let's simplify things?

It is generally given that a photon moves from a mass-point to another mass-point, it communicates from matter to matter. At what distance is the energy of a photon contained within a Packet of space?

The particle-wave duality confines you to make observations of either a particle(packet/quanta) or the same energy spread over?.. and as traveling between two points as a wave.

If you confine yourself to the wave principle, then this wave propergates over a distance, measured by its wavelength. Can you confine this wavelength in situ between two mass-points? For instance if you have a chamber where at one end you have an atom that will accept a single photon, and at the other you have an atom that will emmit a single photon.

Does the photon spread out on its way from one atom to the other? if so does the frequency of the Energy change in any way?

Another thing one needs to ask?, is for Parametric downconvertion, the photons are slowed down within a trapping area, if a photon has no size?.. then how can it be confined within a specific area?

I ask again, what is the radius of a photon in flight?..if any.
 
I ask again, what is the radius of a photon in flight?..if any.

Green!

What is the sound of one hand clapping?*

Hmmm A photon...Eberywhere at once and a ZRM particle.....
OK , Got it...> 10^35m and <Ho at t=0
That close enuf?
 
I ask again, what is the radius of a photon in flight?..if any.
I'm inclined to think you will get several different answers to this. I would conjecture that the radius is continually changing in flight, and you would have to place an element of time in your question.
 
Last edited:
A better question: is it possible to MEASURE the size of a photon, and if so, what were the results?
 

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