Does a medium have to have mass to 'be' a medium?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ralphonsicus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mass Medium
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on whether a medium must possess mass to function as a medium. Participants debate the role of massless particles, such as photons, in serving as media for wave propagation. The concept of aether is introduced as a massless medium, challenging traditional notions of what constitutes a medium in physics. The conversation highlights the complexities of defining media in the context of both classical and modern physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave-particle duality
  • Familiarity with the concept of aether in physics
  • Knowledge of massless particles, specifically photons
  • Basic principles of classical mechanics and electromagnetism
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of massless particles in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the historical context and theories surrounding the aether
  • Study the implications of wave propagation in vacuum
  • Investigate modern physics concepts related to media and wave behavior
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, researchers in wave mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of media in both classical and modern physics.

Ralphonsicus
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
For example can massless particles serve as media?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Ralphonsicus said:
For example can massless particles serve as media?

Don't we call that vacuum?
 
Ahh but the all encompassing aether is massless. :wink:
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Formula for Doppler effect in moving medium?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
High School Confusion about Wave Motion
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School What Medium Does Light Travel Through in Space?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad Why does the phase of the reflected wave from a denser medium change?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
A transverse wave traveling through a medium versus a particle of the medium
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Is the Sun a low-mass star or a medium-mass star?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Graduate Does Gravity Criticism in Maxwell's Equations Apply to All Gravity-Medium Analogies?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Undergrad Speed faster than light speed in a medium
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad Mass Density of Photons in Refractive Medium
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Graduate Thought Experiment: Aether Medium
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K