Photons are recognized as particles of pure energy that exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, despite having no mass. They truly exist, but their behavior is complex and cannot be fully explained through classical physics alone. Energy can indeed be converted into matter in very small amounts, as demonstrated by experiments at particle accelerators like the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, though these particles are typically smaller than atoms. The creation of matter from energy often results in matter-antimatter pairs, which can annihilate each other back into energy. Understanding photons requires a shift from classical to quantum mechanical concepts, as photons fit into a broader definition of particles in quantum physics.
