How Do Photons Exert Force Without Mass?

  • Thread starter Thread starter vette982
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Force Photon
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Photons exert force through their momentum, which is defined by the equation p=h/λ, where h is Planck's constant and λ is the wavelength. The discussion focuses on deriving the pressure P at a distance r from a star, utilizing the relationship between energy, momentum, and mass. The pressure can be calculated by considering the momentum transfer of photons striking a spherical shell at radius r. The derivation involves understanding whether photons are absorbed or reflected, and the use of Stefan-Boltzmann's law is suggested for calculating radiation pressure.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of photon momentum (p=h/λ)
  • Familiarity with energy equations (E=hf, E=hc/λ)
  • Knowledge of pressure calculation (P=F/A)
  • Basic principles of radiation pressure and Stefan-Boltzmann's law
NEXT STEPS
  • Derive the expression for pressure P using the momentum of photons
  • Study the implications of photon absorption versus reflection on pressure calculations
  • Explore Stefan-Boltzmann's law in the context of radiation pressure
  • Investigate the relationship between frequency (f) and wavelength (λ) in photon behavior
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, astrophysicists, and students studying quantum mechanics or electromagnetic theory, particularly those interested in the effects of radiation pressure and photon dynamics.

vette982
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
If p=E/c for a photon, and I'm given a bunch of other equations such as E=hc/λ and p=h/λ and E=hf and more...

Note: h=planck's constant, f=frequency, c=speed of light, E=energy, p=momentum.

I'm wondering how to find dp/dt (=Force)?Original question:
Photons carry momentum, hence they exert pressure on the surface they strike. In this question, we we'll computer the approximate pressure at a distance r exerted by radiation from a star, using the relativistic equation between energy, momentum, and mass. Pressure is force exerted per unit surface area. The force exerted per particle can be written dp/dt where p is the momentum of the particle (from F ~ v^2 and p ~ v). Derive an expression for pressure P at a radius r from the radiation originating isotropically from a point source (i.e. a star), in terms of the momentum of the photons and radius r. (This is most easily derived by imagining that the photons are striking a spherical shell of radius r centered on the star).
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
it depends on if the photon is absorbed or totally reflected.

Are you looking for radiation pressure? Use stefan boltzmans law, or rather, derive it.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
849