Understanding the Momentum of Light in Space

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    Light Momentum
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the momentum of light, specifically how the emission of photons from a stationary object in space affects the object's motion. Participants explore the implications of photon momentum on the object's acceleration and the conservation of momentum in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that a stationary object emitting photons should accelerate due to the momentum carried by the photons, despite photons having no mass.
  • Another participant suggests that the energy of photons contributes to their momentum, indicating that the situation can be reconciled with existing physics principles.
  • A different participant introduces the concept of Lorentz transformation as potentially relevant to the discussion.
  • One participant shares a link to an external resource, possibly to provide additional context or support for their claims.
  • A participant offers a file that purportedly provides a proof of E=mc², which they believe relates closely to the argument being discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of photon momentum for the object's motion, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of momentum and energy in the context of photons may not be fully articulated, and the discussion does not resolve the mathematical implications of the claims made.

azabak
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A stationary object is floating on space and then it starts sending a continuous beam of photons. It seems correct to assert that the object accelerates since photons have momentum. In the initial condition the center of mass is at rest and thus it should remain at rest since photons have no mass. But it also accelerates because photons have momentum.
What happens in this situation?
 
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azabak,

the photons have energy so they have momentum. Everything works out. I can't resist attaching a file which gives a simple proof of E=mc2 without using calculus or even having to solve a quadratic equation. I attach it because it uses an argument so close to the one you state.

Hope this helps

Regards

Sam
 

Attachments

Lorentz transformation is what I think your looking for.
 

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