2007-10-27 04:34:36 · 7 answers · asked by futuretopgun101 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I mean non-destructively.
Is there anyway to stop a photon in midair for example.
A photon is a particle of light.
2007-10-27 04:46:33 · update #1
A photon is a particle of light... well sort of. The question is can it be stopped.
I think this was demonstrated fairly recently in experiments with Bose-Einstein condensates. It was shown that a photon could be slowed to bicycle speed - i.e. by a factor of more than 10 000 000.
Even more recently, I read of photons being trapped and held in a condensate until they were released.
So the answer is yes, you can stop a photon in its tracks... it is just really, really difficult.
2007-10-27 04:45:04 · answer #1 · answered by noisejammer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, they've done that in the lab. In fact, they've stopped the photon and restarted it. Check this out...
"Physicists say they have brought light particles to a screeching halt, then revved them up again so that they could continue their journey at a blistering 186,000 miles (299,330 kilometers) per second.
The results are the latest in a growing number of experiments that manipulate light -- the fastest and most ephemeral form of energy in the universe." [See source]
2007-10-27 11:48:40 · answer #2 · answered by oldprof 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Photons cannot be stopped. They are massless and permeate through space at the speed of light. Unless they are absorbed and hence non-existent at that point, they have to be going the speed of light. Thank Einstein for that clustermess.
2007-10-27 23:34:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With the help of the photon police, and give it a ticket, too. That is only if the tracks are secure.
2007-10-27 11:43:32 · answer #4 · answered by Wylie Coyote 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Only 8nanosecs before the beats are laced.
2007-10-27 11:45:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
sorry whats a photon?
2007-10-27 11:37:03 · answer #6 · answered by potnoodle99 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Its not doing much after it enters a black hole.
2007-10-27 11:37:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋