What if a photon interacts with a slower photon in front?

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In summary: When something does overtake something else, it is not interacting with the other thing, it is just happening to pass by it. Photons are particles, they interact with other particles (or fields).In summary, photons travel at the same speed and generally do not interact with each other. If one photon happens to pass by another, it is not considered an interaction.
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Gunsno Tsui
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What happens if a photon, photon b, interacts with a slower another photon, photon a, which is in front? Taking in account that these two photons are identical except for their speed, they are on the same path and direction as well.
 
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Gunsno Tsui said:
What happens if a photon, photon b, interacts with a slower another photon, photon a, which is in front? Taking in account that these two photons are identical except for their speed, they are on the same path and direction as well.

Welcome to the PF.

If the photons were identical, why would they have different speeds? If they have different wavelengths, they can have different speeds in a transparent media. And what do you mean by "interact"?
 
  • #3
Gunsno Tsui said:
What happens if a photon, photon b, interacts with a slower another photon, photon a, which is in front? Taking in account that these two photons are identical except for their speed, they are on the same path and direction as well.

Welcome to PhysicsForums, Gunsno Tsui!

berkeman posted while I was composing this, saying much the same as I was intending.

All photons travel at the same speed, c (although effective velocity can vary by medium). So photons don't really overtake each other. Generally, photons do not interact with each other (although as with anything, there are some exceptions).
 

FAQ: What if a photon interacts with a slower photon in front?

What is a photon?

A photon is a fundamental particle that is the basic unit of light and all other forms of electromagnetic radiation. It has zero mass and travels at the speed of light in a vacuum.

Can photons interact with each other?

Yes, photons can interact with each other through a process called scattering. This occurs when one photon transfers some of its energy and momentum to another photon.

What does it mean for a photon to interact with a slower photon?

This means that the two photons will collide and exchange energy and momentum. The resulting interaction will cause the slower photon to speed up and the faster photon to slow down.

How does the interaction between photons affect their properties?

The interaction between photons can cause changes in their properties such as their direction of travel, energy, and polarization. These changes are determined by the laws of conservation of energy and momentum.

Can photons interact with other particles besides other photons?

Yes, photons can also interact with other particles such as electrons and protons. These interactions can result in the emission or absorption of photons, which play a crucial role in many physical processes and technologies.

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