- #1
StanEvans
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I was wondering while doing some work on the photoelectric effect about how it is that photons interact with their environment.
The question that I have is why or how does a massless particle such as a photon reflect of a surface such as a mirror.
My first thoughts went to collisions with the particles making up the material which the photons are hitting, but wouldn't the material just absorb the energy of the photon leaving no reflection.
Having no mass how would they bounce, or is it more complex than this.
The question that I have is why or how does a massless particle such as a photon reflect of a surface such as a mirror.
My first thoughts went to collisions with the particles making up the material which the photons are hitting, but wouldn't the material just absorb the energy of the photon leaving no reflection.
Having no mass how would they bounce, or is it more complex than this.