What Is the Relationship Between Photon Mass and Frequency?

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SUMMARY

The relationship between photon mass and frequency is defined by the equation E = hf, where E represents energy and f represents frequency. If photons possessed a non-zero rest mass, the momentum would still be described by p = h / λ. However, the energy-momentum relationship would shift to E = √((pc)² + (m₀c²)²), differing from the massless photon equation E = pc. This distinction highlights the fundamental differences in behavior between massless and massive particles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with the equations E = hf and p = h / λ
  • Knowledge of relativistic physics
  • Basic grasp of particle physics concepts
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Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of light and particle physics.

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If photons had non zero rest mass, which would be the relationship between energy and frequency?
 
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It would still be E = hf, same as for other particles with nonzero rest mass, such as electrons. Likewise the momentum would still be given by p = h / \lambda. What would change would be the relationship between energy and momentum, which would be E = \sqrt{(pc)^2 + (m_0 c^2)^2} instead of E = pc.
 
Thank you, jtbell.
 

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