- #1
Lorentz Trans
- 12
- 0
If a photon has no mass, why does it have momentum? How is it calculated?
Lorentz Trans said:If a photon has no mass, why does it have momentum? How is it calculated?
Momentum is directly proportional to energy for a photon. This means that the higher the energy of a photon, the greater the momentum it carries. This relationship is described by the equation p = E/c, where p is the momentum, E is the energy, and c is the speed of light.
Unlike other particles, photons do not have mass. However, they do have energy and momentum due to their wave-like properties. As a photon travels through space, it oscillates between electric and magnetic fields, which creates a disturbance in the fields and carries momentum.
Yes, a photon's momentum can be changed through interactions with other particles or objects. For example, when a photon is absorbed by an atom, it transfers its momentum to the atom, causing it to recoil. Similarly, when a photon is emitted by an atom, it gains momentum from the atom's recoil.
The momentum of a photon is inversely proportional to its wavelength. This means that shorter-wavelength photons have higher momentum than longer-wavelength photons. This relationship is described by the equation p = h/λ, where p is the momentum, h is Planck's constant, and λ is the wavelength of the photon.
Yes, the momentum of a photon can be observed through various experiments, such as the Compton scattering experiment. In this experiment, the momentum of a photon can be measured by observing the change in its wavelength after scattering off an electron. Additionally, the pressure exerted by a beam of photons on a surface can also be used to indirectly measure their momentum.