True or False: While a photon has no mass, it does have momentum
It's never too late to study physics!
A photon has no mass - that's true, but it does have momentum. In fact, it has 1 quantum of angular momentum.
While the typical relation between mass and momentum is in terms of the velocity p = m v, the correct relativistic relation is given as p = mv/sqrt (1-v^2/c^2) where c is the speed of light. So the momentum of a photon is E = p c where E is the photon energy (proportional to its frequency) and c is the speed of light.
Phew! We did it! We hope the information was useful!
More Info:
hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu
What are your thoughts on this subject?
98 Comments
David Hett
It does have mass. My wife and I sleep on a photon every night.
Paulette Arnold
Got it right, but it is over my head.😯
Bernie Paysden
We rarely speak of anything else over the breakfast table!!
marilynmitri
The information was not useful. I like physics but not math. Warp Factor One, Scotty!
Player
Answered correctly but still have no clue.
nildarodriguez
where is any body from this year are you out there
Jackie
Could it help make time travel possible? That's what I like to know.
April
David Hett, thanks for the laugh!
avinashsha
It is right but it over from my head
tinaloflin
dbf, HUGS. Hug Sheldon( and Raj) if you see them...
tinaloflin
Paulette Arnold, Yup. Me too, don't worry.🤗🤗🤗
tinaloflin
Jimmy Burnett, Oh, you're phunny!!!
tinaloflin
The equations are waay above me. I love physics, but the math...ferget it. My strength is words and art.
Gerald B. Curtis
A VERY useful bit of information
dana r cole
Damn read proton.
mmariano
Too technical for an ordinary person like me; I was never good at figures in schools. But I know it is important. I leave it all to the Einsteins and Hawkins.