Exploring the Relationship between Photon Mass and Frequency

In summary, a photon is a massless particle with no rest mass, only energy and momentum. The relationship between a photon's mass and frequency is inversely proportional, as described by the equation E=mc^2. All photons have the same mass of zero and their frequency is determined by their energy. The unit of frequency for a photon is the hertz (Hz).
  • #1
lightarrow
1,965
61
If photons had non zero rest mass, which would be the relationship between energy and frequency?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
It would still be E = hf, same as for other particles with nonzero rest mass, such as electrons. Likewise the momentum would still be given by [itex]p = h / \lambda[/itex]. What would change would be the relationship between energy and momentum, which would be [itex]E = \sqrt{(pc)^2 + (m_0 c^2)^2}[/itex] instead of E = pc.
 
  • #3
Thank you, jtbell.
 

FAQ: Exploring the Relationship between Photon Mass and Frequency

What is the mass of a photon?

A photon is a massless particle, meaning that it has no rest mass. It only has energy and momentum, which are related to its frequency and wavelength.

What is the relationship between a photon's mass and frequency?

A photon's mass and frequency are inversely proportional. This means that as the frequency increases, the mass decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the famous equation E=mc2, where E represents energy, m represents mass, and c represents the speed of light.

Can photons have different masses?

No, all photons have the same mass of zero. The concept of mass only applies to particles that are at rest, and since photons are always moving at the speed of light, they do not have a rest mass.

How is a photon's frequency determined?

A photon's frequency is determined by its energy. The higher the energy, the higher the frequency. This can be seen in the electromagnetic spectrum, where photons with higher frequencies have higher energies and are more energetic.

What is the unit of frequency for a photon?

The unit of frequency for a photon is the hertz (Hz), which represents the number of cycles or oscillations per second. This unit is used to measure the frequency of all electromagnetic radiation, including photons.

Similar threads

Replies
23
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
26
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
580
Replies
19
Views
1K
Replies
29
Views
3K
Replies
16
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K
Back
Top