Do Photons Experience Changes in Potential Fields?

AI Thread Summary
Photons are not affected by electric fields due to their lack of charge, but they do respond to gravitational potential differences, which can lead to energy changes manifested as redshift or blueshift. The discussion raises questions about the interaction of the electric and magnetic components of electromagnetic waves with electric fields. Additionally, there is a request for the mathematical explanation of how gravitational effects cause these shifts in light. Overall, the conversation explores the dual nature of photons in relation to gravitational fields while clarifying their behavior in electric fields. Understanding these interactions is crucial for deeper insights into the behavior of light in varying potential fields.
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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