Does a Photon Traveling at Light Speed Imply Infinite Mass and Energy?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of a photon traveling at light speed, specifically regarding mass and energy. Participants clarify that while photons have zero mass, accelerating particles like electrons in a particle accelerator requires increasingly infinite energy as they approach light speed. Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) is cited as the definitive framework explaining the properties and behaviors of light, asserting that all interactions involving light can be accurately predicted by QED. The conversation also touches on the philosophical aspects of what constitutes 'reality' in the context of scientific inquiry.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)
  • Familiarity with particle physics concepts, particularly mass-energy equivalence
  • Knowledge of relativistic physics and the implications of traveling at light speed
  • Basic grasp of the differences between classical and quantum objects
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) in detail
  • Explore the concept of mass-energy equivalence in the context of special relativity
  • Investigate the behavior of particles in particle accelerators, focusing on relativistic effects
  • Examine philosophical questions surrounding the nature of reality in physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of light and energy in the context of modern physics.

  • #31
Matterwave said:
Since observations are interactions, and all of physics is about interactions,

Tell that to the string theory.
 

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