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scilover89
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Momentum can be categorised under electromagnet force, and electromagnetic force carrier is photon. But photon have momentum. Isn't this paradoxical?
Sterj said:Mhh, how can it carry momentum if it has mass of zero? Momentum is p=m*v.
Sterj said:So for photons this equation can be written as:
E^2=(pc)^2
Strafespar said:Yeah, you are thinking in terms of classical physics.
Photon momentum is the measure of the energy and momentum carried by a photon, which is a unit of electromagnetic radiation. It is described by the equation p = h/λ, where p is the momentum, h is Planck's constant, and λ is the wavelength of the photon.
The paradox of photon momentum arises from the fact that photons have no mass, yet they possess momentum. This paradox is resolved by understanding that photons carry energy, and according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc², energy and mass are equivalent. Therefore, photons have momentum due to their energy.
The concept of photon momentum helps us to understand that light is not only a wave, but also a particle. This dual nature of light is fundamental to many phenomena in physics, such as the photoelectric effect and the Compton effect.
No, the paradox of photon momentum can only be explained by quantum mechanics. In classical physics, momentum is always associated with mass, so a massless particle like a photon would not have momentum. However, in quantum mechanics, the concept of momentum is extended to include particles without mass.
The concept of photon momentum has implications in various fields such as astrophysics, where the momentum of photons is crucial in understanding the dynamics of stars and galaxies. It also plays a significant role in the development of technologies such as solar panels and laser technology. Additionally, the understanding of photon momentum has led to advancements in quantum computing and cryptography.