Do Photons Experience Changes in Potential Fields?

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SUMMARY

Photons are not influenced by electric fields due to their lack of charge; however, they do respond to gravitational potential differences, leading to energy changes manifested as redshift or blueshift. The discussion highlights that while the electric field component of electromagnetic waves does not interact with electric fields, the gravitational field can affect photons. The mathematics behind gravitational redshift and blueshift is essential for understanding these phenomena.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic wave properties
  • Basic knowledge of general relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of redshift and blueshift
  • Mathematics of energy conservation in gravitational fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of general relativity and its effects on light
  • Learn about the mathematics of gravitational redshift and blueshift
  • Explore the relationship between energy and frequency in electromagnetic waves
  • Investigate the implications of photons in varying gravitational fields
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, astrophysicists, and students of physics interested in the behavior of light in gravitational fields and the implications of electromagnetic theory.

DeG
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Are photons effected by traveling through electric or gravitational potential differences? If so, how so?
 
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DeG said:
Are photons effected by traveling through electric or gravitational potential differences? If so, how so?

Photon is not charged. So it is not affected by the electric field.

Photon has energy, so does responds to gravitation potential different. It can gain/loss energy and therefore red/blue shift.
 
Does the electric field component of em waves not interact with electric fields and likewise with the magnetic component? Also, could I get the mathematics behind the blue and/ or red shift of light do to gravitation?
 

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