Photons and charged particles and dark matter

In summary, photons are not capable of interacting with elementary particles of no charge. This is one of the reasons why dark matter cannot be detected, as light does not interact with it at all. However, there are also cases where uncharged particles can indirectly interact with photons, such as the Higgs boson.
  • #1
SarcasticSully
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Are photons capable of interacting with particles with no charge. And if not, is it possible that that's the reason dark matter has so far eluded detection: because it has no charge?
 
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  • #2
No, they are not capable of interacting with elementary particles of no charge. Note that a neutron is a composite particle composed of elementary particles with charge, so even though it is neutral it can still interact with EM radiation.

And yes, that is the reason why dark matter cannot be seen. Light does not interact with it at all.
 
  • #3
SarcasticSully said:
Are photons capable of interacting with particles with no charge. And if not, is it possible that that's the reason dark matter has so far eluded detection: because it has no charge?
That is only part of the reason. Note that even uncharged particles can interact with photons if they do so indirectly. For example the Higgs boson can decay into two photons even though it is an uncharged elementary particle. http://www.hep.lu.se/atlas/thesis/egede/thesis-node17.html.
 
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FAQ: Photons and charged particles and dark matter

What are photons?

Photons are fundamental particles of light that have no mass and travel at the speed of light. They are considered to be the smallest unit of light and are responsible for carrying all forms of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, and X-rays.

What are charged particles?

Charged particles are particles that have an electric charge, either positive or negative. They can be found in atoms, molecules, and other substances. Examples of charged particles include protons, electrons, and ions.

What is dark matter?

Dark matter is a type of matter that cannot be directly observed because it does not emit or interact with light. It is estimated to make up about 85% of the universe's total mass and is thought to play a key role in the formation and structure of galaxies.

How do photons and charged particles interact?

Photons and charged particles can interact in several ways. One of the most common interactions is through the emission and absorption of photons by charged particles, such as in the process of light production by excited atoms. They can also interact through the scattering of photons off of charged particles, which is how we see objects that do not emit light, such as planets.

What is the relationship between photons, charged particles, and dark matter?

Photons and charged particles are both forms of matter that can interact with each other and with other types of matter. Dark matter, on the other hand, is a type of matter that does not interact with photons or charged particles, making it difficult to study and understand. However, it is believed that dark matter plays a crucial role in the behavior and structure of the universe, and its interactions with photons and charged particles may hold the key to unlocking its mysteries.

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