What if a photon interacts with a slower photon in front?

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The discussion centers on the interaction between two photons, specifically photon a, which travels slower due to its medium, and photon b, which travels at the speed of light (c). It is established that all photons travel at the same speed in a vacuum and do not interact with each other under normal circumstances. The conversation highlights that differences in speed can occur only in transparent media, affecting the effective velocity of photons but not their fundamental nature. The consensus is that photons cannot overtake one another and do not engage in interactions.

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What happens if a photon, photon b, interacts with a slower another photon, photon a, which is in front? Taking in account that these two photons are identical except for their speed, they are on the same path and direction as well.
 
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Gunsno Tsui said:
What happens if a photon, photon b, interacts with a slower another photon, photon a, which is in front? Taking in account that these two photons are identical except for their speed, they are on the same path and direction as well.

Welcome to the PF.

If the photons were identical, why would they have different speeds? If they have different wavelengths, they can have different speeds in a transparent media. And what do you mean by "interact"?
 
Gunsno Tsui said:
What happens if a photon, photon b, interacts with a slower another photon, photon a, which is in front? Taking in account that these two photons are identical except for their speed, they are on the same path and direction as well.

Welcome to PhysicsForums, Gunsno Tsui!

berkeman posted while I was composing this, saying much the same as I was intending.

All photons travel at the same speed, c (although effective velocity can vary by medium). So photons don't really overtake each other. Generally, photons do not interact with each other (although as with anything, there are some exceptions).
 

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