Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of mass associated with a photon contained within a massless mirrored box, exploring whether such a system possesses inertial and/or gravitational mass. Participants consider the implications of a photon gas in a black body cavity at a temperature above absolute zero and the relationship between the mass of the cavity and the mass attributed to the photon gas.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions whether the system of a photon in a massless mirrored box has inertial and/or gravitational mass, suggesting that the mass might be the sum of the mass of the cavity and the mass associated with the photon gas.
- Another participant agrees with the initial proposition but does not elaborate further.
- A request for references regarding the inertial/gravitational mass of a photon is made, indicating a search for supporting literature.
- One participant asserts that the photon gas system has zero total momentum in a specific frame of reference, leading to the conclusion that the energy of the photon gas can be equated to a non-zero mass using the equation E = mc².
- A later reply reiterates the idea that while a photon has no rest mass, a system containing a photon in a massless mirrored box will have a rest mass greater than zero, seeking references to support this claim.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
There is no clear consensus among participants; while some agree on the mass implications of the photon gas, others seek further clarification and references, indicating ongoing debate and exploration of the topic.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions of mass in this context and the implications of different frames of reference. The discussion does not resolve the complexities surrounding the mass of a photon or the system as a whole.