Does a photon have a width and height ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the dimensionality of photons, specifically whether they possess width and height in addition to their wavelength. Participants explore the implications of these dimensions on the nature of photons and their ability to travel at the speed of light.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that while photons are often depicted with height and width, these representations may not reflect their actual physical dimensions, as they primarily represent the intensity of electromagnetic fields.
  • There is a proposal that photons may only exist in one dimension, which could explain their ability to travel at the speed of light, while other particles that exist in more dimensions cannot achieve this velocity.
  • One participant posits that photons might have width and height, but these dimensions may not remain constant over time.
  • Another participant questions the meaning of width and height at the microscopic scale, suggesting that a photon is essentially a pack of energy.
  • A different viewpoint raises the idea of Lorentz contraction, proposing that a photon could only exist in two dimensions due to its length in the direction of travel being shortened to zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the dimensionality of photons, with no consensus reached on whether they possess width and height or exist solely in one or two dimensions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of dimensions at the microscopic scale and the implications of relativistic effects, which remain unresolved.

Edi
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So when thinking of a photon, we (at least I do) think of the picture, where is it shown as having literal height and width, but I know or at least I think I know, that the lines just represent the intensity/ strength of the E and M part of the wave, not the actual shape of the photon.
And it got me thinking - does the photon have an actual width and height? Yes, it has length - wavelength (what ever it is (?) ), but how about the other 2 dimensions? Does it even exist in other than one dimension?
Could the photons existence in only one dimension be the reason why it is the only thing, that can travel at the speed of light? And that other "things" a.k.a. particles, that exist in more dimension can not achieve that velocity?
 
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Edi said:
So when thinking of a photon, we (at least I do) think of the picture, where is it shown as having literal height and width, but I know or at least I think I know, that the lines just represent the intensity/ strength of the E and M part of the wave, not the actual shape of the photon.
And it got me thinking - does the photon have an actual width and height? Yes, it has length - wavelength (what ever it is (?) ), but how about the other 2 dimensions? Does it even exist in other than one dimension?
Could the photons existence in only one dimension be the reason why it is the only thing, that can travel at the speed of light? And that other "things" a.k.a. particles, that exist in more dimension can not achieve that velocity?
It also has 2 other real parameters that represent the polarization.
 
Edi said:
does the photon have an actual width and height?

It may have, but it will not be constant in time.
 
arkajad said:
It may have, but it will not be constant in time.

Ah, no THAT is very interesting. Will have something to think about.
 
What is width and height in the microscopic scale? Photon is a pack of energy
 
Wouldn't Lorentz contraction shorten it's length in direction of travel to zero? So I would think a photon could only exist in 2 dimensions.
 

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