Photons are massless particles that travel at the speed of light (c) and do not possess electric charge due to the U(1) gauge symmetry of electromagnetism. Their lack of rest mass allows them to propagate at this speed, while other particles, such as W and Z bosons, possess mass and charge. The photon is fundamentally an electromagnetic wave, carrying energy-momentum and interacting with charged particles, but it does not interact strongly with other photons in a vacuum. The discussion emphasizes the significance of the Higgs mechanism in understanding mass generation in other particles, contrasting with the massless nature of photons.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of light and its interactions with matter.
gonegahgah said:My understanding was that - light traveling @ <c through materials due to photon absorption/re-emission - was not the accepted explanation.
I saw someone say this same explanation without comment another time so I'm starting to wonder if I got that wrong too?
I thought it was due to other factors? Was it something to do with space-time or was it magnetic interaction? I can't remember? Or is absorption/re-emission it?