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rest mass of photon is 0, v=c, applying it in einstein's equation for mass, we get 0/0 (zero divided by zero). WHat is its value then?

2006-09-08 16:06:18 · 3 answers · asked by Sachin 2 in Science & Mathematics Physics

3 answers

Photons do not have mass, however they do (by the nature of having energy) possess momentum.

The energy of a photon is given as,
E = hv
where E is the energy, h is plank's constant, and v is the frequency of light.

Everyone is familiar with the equation,
E = mc^2
ans think that they can relate a photon's energy to its mass with some simple algebra,
m = E / c^2
However, this is not the case. The "m" in E = mc^2 refers to the particles REST MASS. A photon's rest mass is ZERO.

There is an often omitted part of the equation which relates the energy a massless particle possesses to its momentum,
E = mc^2 + pc
We already know that mc^2 = 0,
so we are left with E = pc
where E is the energy, p is the momentum, and c is the speed of light in a vacuum.
Setting the energy of a photon equal to the this gives us,
hv = pc
So to solve for the momentum (p),
p = hv / c

2006-09-08 18:27:59 · answer #1 · answered by mrjeffy321 7 · 2 0

Photons have not got mass, notwithstanding they do (with the help of the character of having power) own momentum. The power of a photon is given as, E = hv the place E is the flexibility, h is plank's consistent, and v is the frequency of sunshine. anybody is conscious of the equation, E = mc^2 ans think of that they are able to narrate a photon's power to its mass with some user-friendly algebra, m = E / c^2 notwithstanding, that may no longer the case. The "m" in E = mc^2 refers back to the debris relax MASS. A photon's relax mass is 0. there is an in lots of cases disregarded element of the equation which relates the flexibility a massless particle possesses to its momentum, E = mc^2 + laptop We already understand that mc^2 = 0, so we are left with E = laptop the place E is the flexibility, p is the momentum, and c is the fee of sunshine in a vacuum. putting the flexibility of a photon equivalent to the this provides us, hv = laptop with the point to remedy for the momentum (p), p = hv / c

2016-12-18 07:14:00 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

As you said photons have no rest mass. But it can have relativistic mass. To find the relativistic mass use
E(photon)=MC^2 or M=E/C^2
To find E you need to know the wavelength or the frequency of the photon.

2006-09-08 16:20:31 · answer #3 · answered by sparrowhawk 4 · 1 1

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