Are Photons Massless But Still Have Momentum?

In summary, a photon is a fundamental particle that carries electromagnetic energy and has zero rest mass. It does not have mass, but has energy and momentum. The mass of a particle affects its momentum, and photons can have momentum despite having no mass. Photons are the force carriers of the electromagnetic force and are responsible for transmitting the force between charged particles.
  • #1
dkgolfer16
52
0
Hi,
Sorry but could someone help and direct me to a scientific article discussing why photons are considered massless yet they still have momentum. I'm new and I'm sure its on here. Thanks. Any explanations would be cool too.
 
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  • #3


Hi there! It's a common misconception that mass and momentum are directly linked. In fact, they are two separate properties of particles. Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, while momentum is a measure of its motion.

Photons, as particles of light, are considered to be massless because they do not have rest mass (the mass of an object when it is not moving). However, they do have momentum because they have energy and travel at the speed of light.

According to Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2, energy and mass are equivalent and can be converted into each other. Since photons have energy, they also have momentum. This is known as relativistic momentum, which takes into account the effects of special relativity at high speeds.

In simpler terms, photons may not have mass, but they do have energy and therefore can have momentum. This is why they can exert pressure and cause objects to move (such as in solar sails).

I hope this helps! If you're looking for a scientific article, you can search for "relativistic momentum of photons" to find more in-depth explanations and studies on this topic. Keep exploring and learning!
 

1. What is a photon?

A photon is a fundamental particle that carries electromagnetic energy and has zero rest mass. It is the basic unit of light and all other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

2. Does a photon have mass?

No, a photon does not have mass. It has energy and momentum, but its rest mass is zero. This is due to its high speed and the fact that it is a massless particle.

3. How does the mass of a particle affect its momentum?

The mass of a particle affects its momentum in that a particle with a greater mass will have a greater momentum, assuming they have the same velocity. This is because momentum is directly proportional to mass.

4. Can photons have momentum if they have no mass?

Yes, photons can have momentum even though they have no rest mass. This is because momentum is a product of mass and velocity, and photons have a high velocity, which gives them momentum despite having no mass.

5. How are photons related to the electromagnetic force?

Photons are the force carriers of the electromagnetic force. They are responsible for transmitting the force between charged particles, such as protons and electrons. Photons are constantly being exchanged between charged particles, creating the electromagnetic force that holds atoms and molecules together.

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