Do concentrated forms of light, such as a laser, have mass?

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SUMMARY

Concentrated forms of light, including lasers, do not possess rest mass, as established by the principles of physics. However, light exhibits inertial properties due to its energy, as described by the equation E=mc². This means that while light cannot be at rest and has no material mass, it can still be influenced by gravitational fields, indicating it possesses some form of inertia. This principle applies equally to both ordinary light and laser light.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the concept of mass in physics
  • Familiarity with the principles of light and electromagnetic radiation
  • Knowledge of Einstein's theory of relativity, specifically E=mc²
  • Basic grasp of gravitational effects on light
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of E=mc² on modern physics
  • Explore the behavior of light in gravitational fields
  • Study the differences between rest mass and inertial mass
  • Investigate applications of lasers in scientific research and technology
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Physicists, students of physics, and anyone interested in the properties of light and its interactions with gravity.

randy23
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Do concentrated forms of light, such as a laser, have mass?
 
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laser has no difference from normal coherent light (like the one you'd get through a slit).
and light has no rest mass.
 
Depends what you mean by the term mass. Do you mean mass in terms of a material concept, or in terms of an inertial concept?

Fargoth is right, light has no rest mass, but then again, light is never at rest. Given that light can be bent by gravitational fields, one could argue that light does in fact possesses some inertia. E=mc^2 would also suggest that light posesses some inertial mass since it posesses energy.

Note however that this applies to 'ordinary' light as well as laser light.

Claude.
 

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