Why is the speed of photons different?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of the speed of photons, particularly addressing claims about different speeds associated with various frequencies of light, such as blue and red photons. Participants explore theoretical and conceptual aspects of light speed in different mediums and the implications of dispersion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references Feynman's work on quantum electrodynamics, suggesting that different photons may travel at different speeds based on their energy.
  • Another participant asserts that all photons, regardless of color or frequency, travel at the same speed in a vacuum (c), challenging the idea that blue photons are faster than red photons.
  • A different participant explains that the speed of light is measured in a vacuum and notes that in other mediums, different wavelengths can be affected by varying diffraction coefficients, leading to different effective speeds.
  • One participant requests a reference to support claims made about the speed of photons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is disagreement regarding whether photons of different frequencies travel at different speeds. Some participants argue that they do not, while others suggest that there may be conditions under which this could be interpreted differently.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on the complexities of light behavior in various mediums and the concept of dispersion, which may not be fully resolved in the exchanges.

GREENMONKEY
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TL;DR
I read the Feynman's book about the quantum electrodynamics and I realized, that he was talking about the different speed of photons - please why are photons travelling at different speed, the blue photons are faster that the red ones, for instance?
Hi,

I read the Feynman's book about the quantum electrodynamics and I realized, that he was talking about the different speed of photons. I know, that the light travel's "slower" in a material, but he is also talking about the different speed of photons. I read on the web, that some photons travel's faster than the ther ones because of different energy, but WHY? Please give me some deep answer - deep like Feynman's book, no less.
 
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GREENMONKEY said:
please why are photons traveling at different speed, the blue photons are faster that the red ones, for instance?
I think you must have misunderstood something. "red" and "blue" are just different frequencies in the EM spectrum and they all travel at the same speed, c (in a vacuum).
 
Last edited:
This is why the speed of light you have read about is measured in vacuum(c).
In other mediums, due to different diffraction coefficients certain wavelengths are affected differently.
 
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GREENMONKEY said:
I read on the web

Where? Please give a reference.
 

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