4-momentum of a massless particle

In summary, the value of k in the 4-momentum of a massless particle traveling in the z direction does not determine its speed, as they always travel at light speed. However, if two particles have different values of k and j, they will have different energy, momentum, wavelength, and frequency, resulting in different effects such as push on a light sail and excitations.
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pellman
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The 4-momentum of a massless particle traveling in the z direction is (k, 0, 0, k). What is the significance of the value of k? It does not determine the speed since they always travel at light speed. If one particle has momentum (k, 0, 0, k) and another has (j, 0, 0, j) with j not equal to k, what is the physical difference between them?
 
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The momentum it carries is different. The energy is different. So how hard it would push on a light sail and the transitions it could excite are different. ##E=h\nu##, so the frequency and wavelength are different.
 
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  • #3
pellman said:
The 4-momentum of a massless particle traveling in the z direction is (k, 0, 0, k). What is the significance of the value of k? It does not determine the speed since they always travel at light speed. If one particle has momentum (k, 0, 0, k) and another has (j, 0, 0, j) with j not equal to k, what is the physical difference between them?
I second @Ibix reply. The two particles have the same velocity (speed and direction) but energy and momentum are different and consequently wavelength and frequency.
 
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I knew it would be something I already knew! Lol! Thank you, guys!
 
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What is 4-momentum of a massless particle?

4-momentum of a massless particle is a mathematical concept used in physics to describe the energy and momentum of a particle that has zero mass. It is composed of four components: energy, x-momentum, y-momentum, and z-momentum.

Why is 4-momentum of a massless particle important?

4-momentum of a massless particle is important because it allows us to understand and calculate the behavior of massless particles, such as photons, in different physical processes and interactions. It also plays a crucial role in the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics.

How is 4-momentum of a massless particle calculated?

The 4-momentum of a massless particle is calculated using the equation P = (E, px, py, pz) = (hf/c, hf/c, hf/c, hf/c), where h is Planck's constant, f is the frequency of the particle, and c is the speed of light.

What is the relationship between 4-momentum and energy for a massless particle?

For a massless particle, the energy (E) and the magnitude of momentum (p) are directly proportional, meaning that as the energy increases, the magnitude of momentum also increases. This relationship is described by the equation E = pc, where c is the speed of light.

Can a massive particle have 4-momentum?

Yes, a massive particle can have 4-momentum. However, unlike for massless particles, the energy and momentum of a massive particle are not directly proportional and are given by the equation E^2 = (pc)^2 + (mc^2)^2, where m is the mass of the particle and c is the speed of light.

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