Turning Light Into Mass: How it Works

In summary, mass and energy are closely related, with mass being a trapped form of energy. Light turning into mass is a transfer of energy from the electromagnetic field to a matter field, respecting conservation of quantum numbers. Both processes, pair creation and annihilation, are equally surprising and involve the exchange of energy between fields.
  • #1
Mattius_
8
0
Ok I am understanding of how mass turns into light, but how does light turn into mass?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
This is amazing : both processes are so close to each other. How could you accept one but bother with the converse !?

As you know, mass and energy are related : mass is one "trapped" form of energy, or "potential". The process are conversions from one form to another : light is pure energy stored in the EM, carrying no quantum number (except some angular mometum). So light turning into mass, is a transfer of energy from the EM field, to a matter field such as the electronic Dirac spinor field. This transfer must respect conservation of the quantum numbers, so only the total angular momentum must come out non-vanishing. The total electric charge must be zero.

To me, both transfers are exactly as amazing and funny, i.e. strange and unnacceptable at first sight. The pair creation is an exchange from the EM to the matter field : it can occur at any spot along the propagation of the energy. The matter field eventually "grasped" the propagating energy "in order to" store it in a trapped form. The pair annihilation requires the space-time meeting of an associated pair anti-particle / particle : one contemplates the "trapped" energy released in a purely kinematical form propagating in the EM. So one could consider pair annihilation more surprising !

For instance, a very higly virtual photon will constantly fluctuate in pairs while propagating.
 

1. How is light turned into mass?

Light can be turned into mass through a process called pair production. This occurs when a high-energy photon (light) interacts with an atomic nucleus, producing a particle and its corresponding antiparticle (e.g. an electron and a positron).

2. What is the significance of turning light into mass?

Turning light into mass has significant implications in understanding the fundamental principles of physics. It also has practical applications in areas such as medical imaging and particle accelerators.

3. Can any type of light be turned into mass?

Yes, any type of light can be turned into mass as long as it has high enough energy. However, the process is more likely to occur with higher energy photons, such as gamma rays.

4. Is there a limit to how much mass can be created from light?

Yes, there is a limit to how much mass can be created from light. This is determined by Einstein's famous equation, E=mc², which states that energy (E) and mass (m) are equivalent and can be converted into one another, with the speed of light (c) as a conversion factor.

5. How is turning light into mass related to the concept of mass-energy equivalence?

The concept of mass-energy equivalence, as described by Einstein's equation E=mc², is directly related to turning light into mass. It explains that energy and mass are two forms of the same thing and can be converted into one another, with the speed of light as a conversion factor. This is the basis for turning light into mass through pair production.

Similar threads

  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
402
Back
Top